Speed reduction on fraser island
The speed limit on Fraser Island, one of Australia's popular tourist destinations, will be reduced as a result of the fatal accident last week which killed British backpacker Ian Davy...
Mr Davy, from West Yorkshire, was killed alongside an Italian woman when their vehicle, packed with European tourists, crashed on a beach at Fraser Island, off Queensland on Australia's north east Coast.
The accident occurred when the car rolled as the driver tried to avoid a wave while driving along the sand at Seventy Mile Beach.
The beach is an officially gazetted road which runs along the surf side of the island, with a current speed limit of 100km/hr (62 miles/hr). It is a popular destination for tourists who hire 4WD vehicles and drive along the sand to various holiday spots on the island.
People driving off-road vehicles share the beach highway with local airplane companies who regular take tourists on joy flights. Permits are required to drive along the beach and local car hire companies provide safety demonstrations to those not used to the driving conditions on the island.
However many locals have warned about the dangers of letting inexperienced tourists drive at high speeds along the sand, which, when soft, can be difficult to navigate. Over the last six years there have been 120 serious accidents in similar circumstances to last week's tragedy.
The Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today met with members of the Fraser Coast Regional Council and local police and recommended to reduce the speed limit to 80km/hr (50miles/hr) to avoid further fatalities.
Ms Nolan said the reduced speed limit was among a range of road safety measures already under consideration prior to last week's fatal accident, however she added that it was "the Government's strong view is that the planned lowering of the open speed limit ... should proceed without delay."
There were 11 people in the car at the time of the accident, including four other Britons who were injured. Three of the injured Britons remain in hospital in Brisbane, one is in intensive care.
Fraser Island, which sits about 190 miles north of Brisbane off the Queensland Coast near Hervey Bay, is a World Heritage listed piece of land which stretches for over 76 miles. With an area of 184,000 ha, it is known as the largest sand island in the world and is popular with tourists for its fishing and 4WD adventures.
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk