Slow down for a smile

Central Highlands Regional Council’s road safety focus has been enhanced with the purchase of mobile speed watch trailers.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said council was testing the signs at roadwork sites, but they could be used anywhere where speeding has been identified an issue.

‘We are all privy to being distracted drivers, therefore it is important that we remind ourselves that it is not about arriving faster but arriving in one piece and not at the cost of someone else’s health or life,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘The signs are a simple visual reminder for people to slow down.

‘If an oncoming car exceeds the speed limit set on the trailer a sad face and slow down message shows on the display.

‘Once the car travels at or below the speed limit, a green smiley face lights up.’

Council’s roadwork crews welcomed the signs and a recent test along a worksite near Capella showed they are working.

‘Most cars slow down when they see the sign and that is really positive for us,’ Supervisor Anthony Wells said.

‘At the end of the day, we want to go home to our families safely when working on the roads and we want people travelling to reach their destination safely as well.’

According to the Queensland Government’s StreetSmarts campaign speeding is one of the major reasons for fatalities on Queensland roads. On average 58 people are killed and 295 seriously injured each year on Queensland roads as a result of speed related crashes. Many of those hospitalised will suffer from the effects of their injuries for the rest of their lives.

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