Calls to fix 'unsafe' caravan hotspots on notorious Aussie road: 'Death trap'

Earlier this month the Albanese government pledged $7.2 billion to upgrade a 1700km stretch of the Bruce Highway — one of Australia’s deadliest roads.

Queensland's Bruce Highway with a red circle highlighting an overtaking lane.
Queensland's caravan industry is calling for urgent action regarding several 'unsafe hotspots' for travellers and holidaymakers. Source: RACQ

Huge stretches of one of Australia’s deadliest roads have been slammed as “unsafe hotspots” for travellers and holidaymakers, with renewed calls to “clamp down” and fix the notorious highway before another driver is killed.

Earlier this month the Albanese government pledged $7.2 billion to upgrade a 1700km stretch of the Bruce Highway, which has been described by the state's premier David Crisafulli as “a national embarrassment” and “death trap”.

However, industry leaders say changes aren’t happening fast enough. Last year at least 41 people lost their lives while driving on the busy highway, with several of those fatal crashes involving caravans or other recreational vehicles, according to Caravanning Queensland.

There are key dangerous hotspots that require immediate attention, especially as Aussie families tour the state’s coastline over the summer, Jason Plant, CEO of the Caravan Trade and Industry Association of Queensland (CTIAQ), told Yahoo News Australia.

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They include stretches of road between Rockhampton to Mackay, Gladstone to Rockhampton, Sarina to Mackay and Mackay to Proserpine.

Two cars towing caravans along Bruce Highway in between Mackay and Townsville.
A lack of appropriate lanes can prompt other road users to overtake a caravanner in unsafe areas, creating hazards for everyone involved, experts say. Source: Getty

“The section of the Bruce Highway from Rockhampton to Mackay is a hotspot due to high speeds and a travel distance of five and a half hours with only limited rest stops,” Plant said. “Travellers need to detour off the highway for both stops, putting drivers at risk of fatigue.

“From Gladstone to Rockhampton the highway is a high traffic area for cars, recreational vehicles and trucks with challenging overtaking conditions.”

Sarina to Mackay is also a “dangerous” section of the Bruce because it “gets busy around peak shift change times” and has limited overtaking opportunities.

Limited or no overtaking lanes can “create pressure from other road users, which can lead to stress on caravanners and result in driver fatigue”, Plant told Yahoo.

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When there is a lack of overtaking lanes, other road users may attempt to overtake the caravan in unsafe areas, creating hazards for everyone involved,” he explained.

“Towing a caravan requires more effort than regular driving when this is combined with limited rest stops on long stretches of the highway, caravanners will experience increased fatigue and reduced concentration which can result in accidents.”

Faults in the bitumen on Bruce Highway.
Experts are pleading for additional overtaking lanes to help ease traffic flow and enhance safety during passing. Source: RACQ/Fix The Bruce

Experts say implementing additional overtaking lanes will help to ease traffic flow and enhance safety when passing. More rest areas with appropriate facilities should also be added to ensure caravanners and holidaygoers don’t experience driver fatigue, Plant urged.

“Larger and more robust road shoulders that can accommodate caravans and other vehicles in an emergency will help to prevent disruption to traffic flow, and increased separation lanes will reduce collision risks,” he told Yahoo.

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“It is important to address the issue in these hotspots as all crashes can impact local communities, drivers involved, and overall efficiency of Queensland’s transport network.”

There were 302 lives lost on Queensland roads in 2024 — the worst in 15 years.

On Tuesday, a 67-year-old man riding a motorcycle died on the Bruce Highway after crashing near Mackay. The tragedy comes after three others died in two separate crashes on the road less than a week into the new year.

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