Tuesday 27 September 2011

Road Rage!

Yet another accident has occurred at the infamous intersection of Captain Cook Highway and Port Douglas Road.

The accident, which occurred just before 6pm on Sunday night, comes just one week before a Main Roads Department investigation will reveal if upgrades are required at the notorious intersection.

Port Douglas Police say initial investigations show that a northbound sedan collided with a southbound utility, as the northbound car was attempting to turn right into Port Douglas Road.

A 67-year-old Port Douglas woman, believed to be the driver of the northbound car, was taken to Mossman Hospital with leg and facial lacerations, as was the 27-year-old Gordonvale man who sustained chest bruising.

Both are believed to be in a stable condition.

Sergeant officer-in-charge, Damian Meadows, says while both drivers could have received much more serious injuries, the local driver may be charged with driving without due care and attention.

“Of the four accidents reported to police at this site since January 1 this year, three were caused by locals,” Sergeant Meadows said.

“So we can’t say that tourists are causing these accidents, our offenders are locals, they should know the history of the intersection and take more care.”

Sergeant Meadows said in the same period last year (January 1 to September 26, 2010), only one accident was reported to police at the intersection, which may impact the results of the investigation in which many locals are hoping for the installation of a roundabout.

“As a result of the enquiry, they’ll either do nothing to the intersection, or they’ll install traffic lights,” he said.

“Ninety-five per cent of problems at traffic lights are rear-end accidents.

“While roundabouts don’t have as many rear-enders, people don’t know how to use them properly or drive around them too quickly, resulting in roll-overs.

“But if people were to drive with the appropriate care and attention, these accidents wouldn’t happen.”

Have your say!

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John Rose, 12-10-11 15:41:

It's not just the intersection..its the whole road from Smithfield to Mosman being zoned with inappropriate speed limits.
In many places the speed limit should be 80k and not 100k as signposted.
It definitely should be a slow down zone (say 60k) past this corner (exit of Port Douglas Road onto Cook Highway) and definitely a STOP sign as suggested by others.
Unfortunately its too easy so I doubt whether anyone will ever do anything.

Tony Woodall, 12-10-11 14:35:

Clive, I think your solution is the right one. Keep it simple. The problem is not speed but confusion. The present system is too messy. A government over kill.

Barry , 12-10-11 10:55:

As a local driver on night shift here in Port, I would like to add to my concerns re bicycle riders who blatantly disregard the rules as mentioned by Thor. Maybe Gavin does not drive along Davidson St and Port Douglas Rd during the wee hours ( 10pm to 4am ] but I see many of these cyclists riding home from work or the pubs, without helmets, lights etc. Of course there are also those who play by the rules but sadly they are in the minority.

Montagne Christian, 10-10-11 22:10:

Hi,
Less than 3 month ago, July 19',
My daughter Charlotte 20 years old and his boyfriend Adrien 21 years old,
In holidays from France, had a terrible accident here.
They had no responsibility considered the police, and all Responsability for a local young man.
They failed to died, fortunately, but their injuries are very bad ...
How many others terrible accident and victims did need the government to do something real ?
Solutions does exist true !
Please, do something for others !
PS / thank you for the witness, the emergency and the police and theirs help for my children's.
They saved their life.
Christian.

claire tierney, 01-10-11 13:55:

I just hope we don't spend 10 years discussing this and end up with something silly. Traffic lights should be the last resort though! I for one do not want to be sitting at the intersection at midnight, on my way home after work, waiting (and waiting) for the lights to change. A roundabout would make more sense. Continuous flow of traffic in and out of Port should remain a priority. We can't expect better drivers overnight so lets stay with what works and is aesthetic ........ a round about is my vote.

Gavin Hardy, 29-09-11 10:43:

Thanks Richard, in all sincerity, it's very much appreciated. I'd like to add that on my [beautiful] ride this morning 99% of motorists were very courteous [as I was to them]. And I would particularly like to thank the Double Bogey Petrol Tanker and Council truck turning left into Wharf Street for being extremely pleasant. Thanks guys!. To me, this morning's ride was a great example of how all road users can co-exhist safely when common courtesy and sensible speeds are employed.

thebuglemister , 28-09-11 14:24:

i love it how all these jonny come laterlys are talking about how wonderful it used to be as a sleepy village, how long ago? 20 years ago??? less??, when my family came here over 100 years ago it was a nice quiet place, wish it was still like that....

Richard , 28-09-11 12:22:

Cheers Gavin. Not sure I'd get on a bike or in a car after a couple of beers though and I want to make it clear that I see far more d*$#head drivers on the road than cyclists. Was just looking out for you guys, that's all. Like I said in the original post, let's all wake up and pay a little more attention.

Thor Stovell, 28-09-11 11:45:

Firstly I own a bike shop so am for cycling, the accidents are happening as people aren't driving responsibly. It doesn't matter what vehicle you operate, it is up to the individual to take responsibility for their own actions. The 4 accidents have nothing to do with bicycles so I can't see how the connection has been made, it a stretch to even consider that. On the other hand helmet laws have been in place since 1986, I know because I was the first kid at my school at age of 16 to get a $30 fine. All bikes are legally required to be ridden following road rules, lights, a bell, reflectors and two working brakes are required and fines are applicable. So for those individuals who don't operate their vehicle bicycle or car or motorbike or horse within the rules they are being irresponsible. But broad generalisations against one group of road users are simply not accurate. If you are unsure of the road rules head to your local police station or online and you'll be surprised that many of the misconceptions that are frequently trotted out are simply wrong. Bicycles are considered vehicles, they are allowed to ride 2 abreast, it is considerate to give cyclists clearance of a metre when passing. I do often wonder about the cyclists who are doing the wrong thing, but most of us are doing the right thing. Remember the accidents on the highway involved cars only. How about we consider others no matter what they ride/ drive and remember that we are all someones Dad/Mum/Brother/Sister/Friend and if you run into them and they are riding a bike you will likely kill them.

Gavin Hardy, 28-09-11 11:31:

Hey Richard, that's good to hear, and I'll shout you a beer back. :) And hey, lets not worry about walking back home on the footpaths, we'll just pop on our Helmets, Lights and Hi-Vis Vests and we'll be impervious to careless car-handlers on the roads!

Gavin Hardy, 28-09-11 11:13:

The staggering fact is: “Crashes kill almost 1.2 million people worldwide every year and injure millions more.” 100 years after World War I we have found a new way to mechanically murder and mutilate vast numbers of people. Based on those numbers, between now and 2018, more people will die due to motor vehicle accidents than died in combat in the First World War (6.8 million).

Unfortunately, there’s no sign of an Armistice. Sgt Meadows is spot on… if people were to drive with the appropriate care and attention, these accidents wouldn’t happen We need to SLOW DOWN.

Richard , 28-09-11 10:55:

My post wasn't primarily about cyclists and I am a responsible motorist. Road rules are road rules whichever mode of transport you choose. Cyclists are not exempt from that and will come off second best if hit by a car, bus or truck....responsible drivers or not. Nobody is playing the blame game Gavin, we are all just providing some input to a report posted by Kerry Larsen. Hey, I'd like to see less vehicles on the road too or only vehicles driven by responsible drivers. You make it happen and I'll shout you a beer.....then walk home... responsibly of course on the footpaths that don't exist.

Julie Robertson, 28-09-11 10:15:

Sorry guys but this is still a little town but the rules have changed. we used to be able to ride with no helmets and accidents at the Port Douglas turn off where unheard of.. the people and the rules have changed over the years and it seems we r still living in the days of the sleepy tourist town (I wish) People r much more aggressive when they drive now and I am quite amazed how slack we locals can be when turning into and out of Port Douglas Road. C
ome on let's lift our game before we loose someone we love

Gavin Hardy, 28-09-11 09:55:

Well Done Richard, Frank and Peter, you've turned a post about the dangers caused by Motorists into how dangerous cyclists are. Regardless of some perceived risks, so called reckless.. or rather "relaxed" bike riders are taking…. It's about time you took responsibility for yourselves as motorists and not turned the blame toward other road uses. "Cyclists are an accident waiting to happen?"… well Gentlemen, you are at least 3 accidents up on them at this particular intersection. I have an even better solution to stop accidents in town, take away the cars… and just allow bikes in Port. What a wonderful peaceful, spacious town this would be…. a true People Power Pedalling Paradise.

Peter Lloyd, 27-09-11 20:34:

i agree with frank regarding Bicycle Riders around Port, I travel into Port most nights and am appauled at the number of people that ride around at night Without lights, no Ivist vest, no helmets, i see Familys with small children on their bikes,I think these people should wake up to themselves,you may survive a accident the child may not be so lucky,if its the law to have lights on bicycles at night the bike hire people should have them on all bicycles before they hire them out. Safety First

Julie Robertson, 27-09-11 19:55:

Graeme , great idea!

Clive Duffy, 27-09-11 17:14:

Being a professional driver, this is the way I see it.
Do away with both those stupid left hand turning lanes (Port Road and the Cook Hwy)This will illiminate any doubt of oncoming traffic. Let's face it, on Port Rd.when you are turning left you can not see south bound traffic from Mossman if there is a vehicle on Port Road turning right, so what's the differance if you are behind or along side that car. Put a stop sign on Port Rd. Reduce the speed limit on the Hwy to 60k. I am sure that 1 minute added to your journey may just save your life.

Frank Frikker, 27-09-11 16:56:

We don't need traffic lights. We need careful, skillful drivers. This no special intersection. And I agree with Richard that all need to be more aware of risks. Bicycle drivers without light is very wrong. Laws that force you to wear a helmet but come short on forcing lights are just ridiculous. You can't see them. They are a permanent risk in Port. It seems just a matter of time....

Richard , 27-09-11 10:33:

The whole attitiude toward driving with due care and attention is terrible, not just at the infamous intersection. Sure, back in the day it was a laid back, sleepy little village but it's not anymore. Car parking spaces are at a premium, Coles are always flat out ( a sure sign that Port is busy) and sometimes there appears to be people everywhere. I am far from the perfect driver but let's all wake up, pay attention and drive with a little more care. That includes cyclists as well. No lights, no helmets, wrong side of the road day and night. They too are an accident waiting to happen. Almost acceptable in this little town of ours? This isn't a little town anymore.....like it or not!

Graeme , 27-09-11 08:55:

How about a simple solution. Change the signs on exit of Port Douglas Road onto Cook Highway from Give Way to Stop signs. Change the left hand turn from Cook Highway to Port Douglas Road to remove the Give Way sign so that ALL traffic turning right from Cook Highway to Port Douglas Road has to Give Way to all southbound traffic including those turning left. This would stop drivers from looking past south bound traffic knowing they have to give way to everyone on the highway. Total Cost $1000 for a couple of road signs. Effective?