By SONJA KOREMANS
POLICE are calling for a change of law to make it compulsary for international backpackers to sit a test before they can drive on Australian roads.
The push comes after a car accident involving backpackers left five men injured on the New England Highway at Glen Aplin last week.
Preliminary inquiries reveal the car was being driven at high speed before crossing double lines and smashing into a tree.
The driver, a 27-year-old South Korean national, told police that he and his companions were running late for work and he was attempting to overtake a slow moving vehicle.
Stanthorpe Police traffic boss Sergeant Daniel O’Dea said local police regularly attended car accidents involving backpackers.
Police were fed up with blackpackers flouting roads rules, putting lives at risk and placing extra burden on hospitals and emergency service crews, Sgt O’Dea said.
“We are pushing for international visitors who are here on a working visa or student visa to sit an Australian road rules test, but this needs to come from a federal level,“ Sgt O’Dea said.
“We (Stanthorpe police) have a number of strategies in place with the Southern Downs Regional Council and Main Roads to work on improving the road education of international visa holders and reduce the number of crashes in the region.“
He said a fatal crash on the New England Highway last month that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Wallangarra woman Maria Wyeth had highlighted the urgency of an action plan.
“We are hopeful at this stage as we now have some political clout with council on board.“
Sgt O’Dea said backpacker car accidents were once only a problem during the major fruitpicking seasons but they were now occurring all year around.
Stanthorpe is one of many backpacker driving blackspots in Queensland.
“Police field a number of calls on backpacker associated crashes in areas such as Bowen Gatton, Gayndah, and Munduberra,“ Sgt O’Dea said.
A German national faced Stanthorpe Magistrates’ Court last week charged with dangerous driving causing death over the March accident.
Police are yet to lay any charges over the Glen Aplin accident, as the Forensic Crash Unit continues its investigations.
