As part of Queensland Road Safety Week, Mount Isa Police are reminding motorists to stay safe and alert while driving in rural and remote areas. Here are some eye-opening facts for us all to consider:
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The rate of serious road-related injury among residents in rural areas is nearly twice that of those in major cities.
In 2013, just over 11,000 people in regional and remote Australia were hospitalised for injuries sustained in crashes, accounting for 32 per cent of all hospitalised injuries nationwide.
ROAD SAFETY WEEK
The characteristics of rural road crashes generally occur between 2pm and 6pm and higher travel speeds result in a greater risk of fatality or serious injury in the event of a crash.
Though our remote landscape is one of beauty, it's sparseness may lead to a sense of monotony while driving.
This can lead to fatigue, especially given the longer distances between towns.
Distance between towns can also compromise emergency service response and access to medical treatment.
Drivers across the Mount Isa District face a lot of different road conditions including narrow shoulders and unsealed surfaces, so we remind you to always drive to the road conditions.
Wildlife and livestock also often appear on our roads without warning and farm and mining vehicle movements may also be unpredictable.
Always be on the lookout for these hazards and be patient with vehicles such as road trains.
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