Your say: Giving our members a voice

Don't blame elderly drivers

I am writing to express my concern about the way road safety discussion in Australia is often framed, particularly regarding elderly drivers. In recent reports and commentary, there seems to be a tendency to attribute a disproportionate level of blame to elderly people for road accidents. However, publicly available data and crash statistics show that the majority of road accidents are caused by young and middle-aged drivers, not older people. While it is true that some elderly drivers may face challenges related to health or reflexes, it is misleading and unfair to single them out as the main cause of accidents when the evidence points elsewhere. This kind of framing risks stigmatising older Australians, many of whom rely on their independence and safe driving as an essential part of their daily lives. It also diverts attention from where the majority of accidents originate and where road safety policies should be focused. I respectfully urge authorities and media outlets to present a more balanced and evidence-based picture, acknowledging the actual demographics responsible for most accidents. Addressing risky behaviours such as speeding, drink driving, and distracted driving – common among younger drivers – would more effectively improve road safety outcomes for everyone.

RICARDO ESCOBAR, SHAILER PARK

Stop at 'stop' signs

I completely agree with the article from Stewart Eldridge, Geebung (Spring TRA). Every day, while waiting to pick up my grandson after school, I see at least 10 vehicles that simply slow down at a ‘stop’ sign, treating it more like a ‘give way’ sign. Also, if I am the second vehicle waiting at a stop sign, I am continually checking my rear-view mirror when it’s my turn to ‘completely stop’ – to the disgust of the following driver. More enforcement and better understanding of road rules are urgently required, as many drivers have lost their respect for our road rules and signs.

JOHN KENNEDY, ALBION

Issue with e-bikes

I refer to the letter ‘E-bike double standard’ (Spring TRA), and no, George, you are not the only person who thinks this way. Why should you have to pay all that money for annual registration when you ride your beautiful old bike only five or six times each year? What would be fairer is for registration fees to be based on the kilometres we each do—some of us do very few. Also, there will be many more accidents, perhaps some fatal, before stringent rules come into effect for e-bike riders. I was under the misconception that it was illegal to overtake another driver/rider on the inside lane. With regard to courtesy, as I have stated previously, common courtesy is not so common these days.

JULIE BERRY, MURGON

Time to stop the hate

In response to ‘E-bike double standard’. Yeah, I get it. You pay rego, insurance, are careful on the road—and what do you know, you spot someone doing crazy speed on an e-bike. Let’s all have a hate session on e-bikes. I’ll tell you a secret: it isn’t the bike – it’s the person riding it. Most e-bike and analogue bike owners do pay registration on vehicles that they choose to leave at home. I have two e-bikes, a motorbike and a motor vehicle, but I nearly always choose to ride my e-bike for short trips within a couple of suburbs. As for the speed, yes, many times I have broken the 25 km/h barrier to get away from wandering dogs and vehicles, etc. Most commuters do not ride, but somehow are willing to judge cyclists that go too slow or too fast or block their way. Please stop the e-bike hate. There are vastly more reckless drivers to be concerned about.

MARK HOLLYWOOD, PARKINSON

Hummock Hill worth visiting

I’d like to add some relevant information to your article on the road trip between Bundaberg and Mackay (Spring TRA). Between Bundaberg and Bargara, there’s a hill that rises just 96 metres above sea level. At the top is a lookout known as The Hummock, built by members of the Bundaberg branch of the RACQ. A plaque at the site provides details about its history. From the sheltered lookout, you can see in all directions – it’s a must-visit stop on your way to regional attractions like the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. The Bundaberg branch of RACQ purchased the land for the lookout in October 1930 and officially opened the RACQ Hummock Lookout on 17 October 1931. The project included land acquisition, road construction, and site beautification efforts such as fencing and tree planting, all carried out by RACQ members through working bees.

JOHN BALDWIN, BUNDABERG

EJ ute still going strong

I am writing on behalf of my husband Brian Needer, who has a 1963 EJ Holden ute, which he bought in March 1967. In July 1967, he joined RACQ and is still a member. He also still has his Holden ute, and it is still registered with the original number plates. He had wanted an EJ ute since he was a kid.

MARGARET NEEDER, KALLANGUR

Don't drive too close

I don't think people realise they will not get to where they are going any faster by following closer to the car in front. The general rule of thumb is to leave a two- or three-second gap to the car you are following, but how many people really apply this seriously? However, even if you diligently keep that gap, you're still not getting there any faster or slower because the speed limit is the speed limit and the car in front is going the same speed as you. No matter where I drive, car after car will be driving too close behind the car in front. I often drive slower than the speed limit, simply keeping a large gap between me and the car in front, and I have rarely, if ever, been late to any appointment.

PIERS DANCE, MUDGEERABA



Golf cart regulations

I live a kilometre from my local golf course and own an electric golf cart, which I drive to the course twice a week. To do this legally, the cart must be registered and covered by third-party insurance. I also need to hold a current motor vehicle driver’s licence and apply to the local police station for a permit to travel on a designated route to the course. I’m not allowed to use the cart for any other purpose. To get to the golf course, I travel along a shared walking path. The top speed of my cart is 15 km/h. During these trips, and when I’m walking the path, I’m constantly overtaken by e-bikes and e-scooters travelling at high speeds, ridden by people of all ages, very rarely wearing helmets. Some of the e-bikes are larger than trail bikes and capable of high speeds. These vehicles don’t require registration or insurance, and their riders don’t need licences. I face restrictions to drive an electric golf cart. Why aren’t there similar requirements for electric bikes and scooters?

FREDERICK BIRD, YEPPOON

Red-light runners take risk

I am witnessing daily a disturbing increase in total disregard for drivers obeying the road rules and the safety of other drivers. In particular, the increase in ‘red-light runners’ is top of my list. Regularly, I experience drivers blatantly crossing in front of me when I have a green traffic light. It has reached epidemic levels, with these drivers showing total disregard, respect, and responsibility to all other road users. Can I suggest the installation of red-light cameras at all traffic lights? This may rein in many disrespecting red-light runners.

DENNIS SMALLCOMBE, ASPLEY