Drivers across Logan are being urged to take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, as fatalities involving Queensland road users aged 75 and over track 5% above the five-year average and pedestrian deaths reach a five-year high.
The latest Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report shows the Queensland Police South Eastern region, which includes Logan, the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim, recorded 21 road deaths between 1 January and 24 May, amid a broader rise in road fatalities.
The region is sitting 61.5% higher than the same time last year and 56.7% above the previous five-year average.
Across Queensland, 132 people had died on the roads by 24 May, up 28.2% on the same period last year.
Personal injury lawyer Nickelle Morris said serious crashes were being seen across different road environments in Logan, from high-speed routes to built-up suburban areas.
“Within the Logan region … we are seeing a number of incidents on the Logan motorway, particularly around built up, high traffic times, proceeding to work or heading home from work,” Ms Morris said.
She said congestion, merging traffic and sudden slowdowns could quickly become dangerous when drivers were not paying attention.
“We tend to see, when traffic’s coming to a slow or a stop, if vehicles are just not paying particular attention, they’re just not stopping in time,” she said.
Ms Morris said incidents on the Logan Motorway could have serious consequences because of vehicle speeds, congestion and the mix of cars and heavy vehicles using the road.
She said other crashes were being seen around built-up areas, including near the Logan Hyperdome, as well as residential streets where pedestrians and cyclists were more exposed.
“The other areas that we’re seeing a lot of incidents arise are in the big built up areas,” she said.
“We are seeing some incidents in residential areas, particularly those involving pedestrians or bicycle riders.”
Ms Morris said vulnerable road users could be badly injured even in lower-speed crashes, with many serious incidents linked to drivers not paying enough attention to the people around them.
“In heavy traffic conditions, drivers can become focused on gaps in traffic, turning movements, passengers or simply getting to where they need to go, but a split-second lapse in concentration can permanently alter someone else’s life,” Ms Morris said.
She said risk was present in everyday driving situations, from peak-hour traffic to merging lanes and suburban streets.
“A lot of the causes seem to be around inattentiveness — just not paying attention when you’re driving, whether it’s the end of a day, you’re trying to merge into another lane, or someone could be looking at their mobile,” she said.
“These are preventable incidents, but when people become complacent or take driving for granted, the consequences can be life changing.”
Ms Morris said many serious crashes were preventable.
“We need to be alert, we need to be actively looking for pedestrians, cyclists, other road users, because everyone’s dependent on doing the right thing when they’re on the road and when they’re behind the wheel,” she said.
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