While the Forensic Crash Unit continue to investigate a serious traffic crash that occurred on Mowbray River Road on the 5th July, nine days later another serious crash occurred on the same stretch of road.

On July 5th a male driver 43 and sole occupant of the vehicle sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to the Cairns Base hospital in a critical condition. 

Related:

• <link crash-victim-in-critical-condition.12776.0.html>Crash victim in critical condition
• <link stop-revive-survive.12767.0.html>Stop revive survive

Nine days later it was reported that an 18 year old male driver crashed into a tree on the same stretch of road.  After 2 hours the emergency services crew cut the driver out of the vehicle and he was airlifted to Cairns Base hospital in a critical condition.

Cairns Base Hospital have since reported  that both men are in a stable condition.

Whether these two incidences are the catalyst for a road safety audit to be conducted is yet to be confirmed.  According to Sergeant Damien Meadows, discussions with DSC could be underway in the future.  Confirmation from Queensland Police Services and Port Douglas Police as to the status of the police traffic investigations and the completed report are yet to be confirmed.

Council’s Infrastructure Manager Michael Kriedemann stated that  “Council will wait until the police traffic unit completes its investigations and review their report, have a chat to the police and decide on the appropriate actions.  A road safety audit may be the first step, once the police traffic report is reviewed.” 

A government initiative called The Black Spot Programme is part of the commitment to reduce crashes on Australian roads and targets those road locations where crashes are occurring.

Nominations for Black Spot locations are invited from State and Territory Governments, local councils, community groups and associations, road user groups, industry and individuals.  Full details available here:-

http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/FUNDING/BLACKSPOTS/INDEX.ASPX

Whether the Mowbray River Road is a “black spot” or not, emergency services are continually reminding all drivers to slow down and to avoid any stupidity on the roads.

Those drivers on long haul journeys, jump onto the Qld Govt website and Download all the driver reviver GPS locations for your journey and make sure you drive safely and remember to stop every 2 hours - stop revive survive.

http://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/holiday-travel/stops/reviver/index.html