Building safer roads

Main Roads is committed to building safer roads throughout the state-controlled road network.

Safer Roads Sooner program

At the Road Safety Summit in 2006, the Premier announced a three-year, $20 million extension of the Safer Roads Sooner program. Safer Roads Sooner focuses on road safety measures, targeting high crash locations.

The program includes:

  • road sections with a high risk of head-on and run-off road crashes
  • road locations with a high number of fatal and serious injury crashes
  • crashes involving pedestrians
  • rural Queensland fatigue zones
  • roadsides that are more forgiving of driver error.

About 750 km of audio-tactile line marking has been applied to state-controlled roads, and a further 1500 km will be applied in the next two years. This form of line marking gives audible and tactile warnings to drivers when their car tyres cross the lines. These lines could wake you up and put you on the right track if you veer off the road.

What's a forgiving roadside?

There are many objects on the side of a road which may cause injury to the vehicle occupants and damage to vehicles if a collision occurs. These objects include:

  • trees
  • rocks
  • traffic control devices, for example: traffic signs and traffic signal posts
  • power poles.

A forgiving roadside provides a clear zone on either side of the road.

Sometimes this clear zone is not possible. For example, a rigid power pole might be in the way. This is when safety barriers are used. Safety barriers shield road users from obstacles or hazards.

Safety barriers and guard rails need to be designed carefully to best protect the road user. We have high safety standards and keep abreast of developments and possible alternatives. Queensland was the first state in Australia to adopt higher single-slope concrete barriers, addressing rollover concerns.

We have fitted lower rails on w-beam barriers at sites with a high rate of motorcycle crashes. This includes Mt Glorious Road and Kilcoy-Beerwah Road. Main Roads is one of the first jurisdictions to adopt this practice.

Safety at roadworks

Safety at roadworks is a high priority for Main Roads. Roadworks can be dangerous places for road users but they are also a workplace for Main Roads' staff and contractors.

Our Safety at roadworks page has more information.

Last updated: 24 June 2009