Queensland’s branch secretary of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Hughie Williams, says the State Government must stop ignoring increasing heavy
Queensland’s branch secretary of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Hughie Williams, says the State Government must stop ignoring increasing heavy vehicle fatalities and launch an inquest into the deaths.
Williams’ call for immediate action comes after a 56-year-old tow truck driver died after colliding with a tree on the Sunshine Coast. The latest death pushes the heavy vehicle road toll to 26 – 21 more deaths than this time last year.
Williams says the causes of the accidents must be investigated, and questions why action has not been taken sooner.
“If a person was killed in a coal mine, the whole mine would be shut down,” he says.
“Why is the transport industry being treated different?”
The TWU is lobbying the Government to approve an inquest, which Williams says will expose “criminal bosses” who are contributing to the road toll by forcing drivers to work excessive hours.
“We need to find out the cause/cause of this workplace accident so safety measures can be put in place,” Williams says.
State Coroner Michael Barnes is examining whether there is a trend in heavy vehicle fatalities. According to Barnes, if a trend is established, an inquest will be launched.