Driver falls asleep at the wheel in Port Douglas
LUCKY ESCAPE
THREE German tourists have escaped without serious injury after crashing into a parked car on Port Douglas Road this morning.
The male driver, in his mid 20s, was driving north along Port Douglas Road at around 5am before drifting off to sleep and slamming into a parked SUV near the Ambulance station. The force caused the parked car to hit a pole, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
Two of the passengers were taken to Mossman Hospital, one with a suspected broken ankle. Alcohol was not involved in the incident with all passengers breathlysied at the scene.
Port Douglas Police Sargent, Damien Meadows, said the incident was a reminder of the danger fatigue can have on Queensland roads.
“Fatigue is one of the major killers on our roads and forms part of the Fatal Five,” Meadows said.
“It’s just another reminder that if you are driving long distances and feel even slightly tired, just pull over and have a sleep. It can literally save your life.
“Last night could have ended a lot differently, so they are very lucky and I’m sure they’ve learnt as lesson from it.”
Queensland Police have heavily focused on reducing the Fatal Five behaviours that cause road trauma, which are:
- Speeding
- Drink and drug driving
- Not wearing seatbelts
- Fatigue
- Driving while distracted.