Both Mr Howard and Mr Rudd need to be serious about improving QLD Roads

New data from the Queensland Transport Department shows there has been 62 fatalities involving heavy freight vehicles this year, 18 more than last year.

TWU Branch Secretary Hughie Williams says, "The road carnage on Queensland roads needs to stop and both Mr Howard and Mr Rudd need to be serious about improving Queensland roads."

Mr Williams says, "The $1.1 billion allocated by both parties for the Ipswich Motorway needs to be spent on widening the motorway, to help put an end to the increasing number of serious road accidents.

(Data from Queensland Main Roads, 01-JUL-2001 to 30-JUN-2006.)

 Mr williams says fatigue is also a major problem for QLD Transport Workers and a Fatigue Management Plan for the Transport Industry needs to be drawn up.

72% of QLD Transport employees are working more than 40 hours per week and 28% are working more than 50 hours per week." Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006.

Local and Long Distance Driver Ian Buckingham says, "Six mates of mine have retired from the transport industry this year due to the pressure to drive long hours without adequate breaks."

Mr Buckingham agrees with TWU Branch Secretary Hughie Williams, that a Fatigue Management Plan for the Transport Industry and road upgrades need to be carried out.

To make sure Mr Howard and Mr Rudd pay attention to the needs of transport workers, the TWU has produced a mobile billboard.