ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN
INTRODUCTION
The MEU Road Safety Campaign is a long-term initiative dedicated to improving road conditions and safety across Queensland’s mining regions. Every day, our members travel to and from mine sites — often on roads that are poorly maintained, overused, and not built for the heavy traffic they now carry.
In addition to the poor road conditions, there are large numbers of drivers undertaking risky behaviours, such as speeding, using their phone while driving and driving fatigued.
This campaign was launched with one clear priority: the safety of our members, their families, and the communities they live in. We are advocating for critical infrastructure upgrades, better road maintenance, and stronger investment in regional transport networks that support safe travel, as well as increased controls that are enforced around communiting and more education around the dangers our members and their families face on the roads.
Too many workers have been injured — or worse — simply getting to and from work. We believe that’s unacceptable.
Through this campaign, we are calling on government, industry, community stakeholders and members to take action. By working together, we can reduce the risks on our roads and ensure safer journeys for everyone who lives and works in Queensland’s mining communities.
Our commitment is to keep pushing for change until our roads are safer, our infrastructure stronger, and every MEU member can get home safely at the end of their shift.
KEY STATISTICS
The latest figures from the Department of Transport and Main Roads reveal a concerning trend for road safety in Queensland’s Central Region. In 2024, the region recorded 49 crashes — a 40% increase from the previous year and 28.3% higher than the five-year average. This sharp rise far outpaces the statewide increase, where crash numbers rose by just 9.4% from 2023. These figures highlight a growing road safety crisis in the Central Region, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades, better maintenance, and targeted road safety initiatives to protect workers and communities alike.
Key Road Safety Risks in Mining Communities
Fatigue
Fatigue is a serious safety risk — on the job, behind the wheel, and even at home. In the Queensland mining industry, where shift work, long hours, and early starts are common, coal mine workers are especially vulnerable.
Irregular work hours and shift work disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle, making it harder to get the quality rest you need. This leads to poor quality sleep and, not enough sleep. Over time, this creates what’s known as “sleep debt,” which can’t be repaid with just one good night’s rest. It often takes several nights of quality sleep to fully recover.
Shiftwork also causes disruptions to your circadian system – your internal body clock. Your circadian rhythms become out of sync with each other and with the outside world. It takes you a number of days to come back in line on your days off. Working shift work is like having permanent jet lag.
Fatigue affects your ability to perform safely. It slows your reflexes, clouds your judgment, and makes it harder to concentrate. It also increases the risk of microsleeps — brief, unintended episodes of sleep that last a few seconds. You may not even realise you’re having one until it’s too late.
Road COnditions
Many of the roads used by coal mine workers and communities weren’t built for today’s traffic demands — especially when it comes to the volume of vehicles and the presence of heavy vehicles and wide loads.
Aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance have led to worsening road conditions. Potholes, crumbling shoulders, and uneven surfaces are common hazards that increase the risk of accidents, particularly for tired or distracted drivers.
On top of that, many of these roads are single-lane with limited safe overtaking opportunities. The lack of dedicated passing lanes puts pressure on drivers to take risks, especially when stuck behind slow-moving or oversized vehicles.
These conditions create a dangerous environment for all road users, particularly those travelling long distances to and from mine sites and mining communities.
Fatal 5
PHILLIPS CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT.
This vital infrastructure project is located along the Dysart–Saraji–Peak Downs Road — a key route used daily by coal mine workers travelling between Dysart, Moranbah, and the Saraji, Peak Downs, and Vulcan coal mines. It’s also an essential connection for local residents commuting between Dysart, Moranbah, and the Peak Downs Highway, and for heavy vehicles transporting coal and supplies to and from Dysart and Middlemount.
For years, this stretch of road has been known for its dangers. It’s seen multiple accidents and fatalities, and the existing bridge is prone to flooding during heavy rain, further compromising safety. Potholes and road damage are ongoing issues that put all road users at risk.
Now, thanks to persistent lobbying and advocacy from the Mining and Energy Union, local councils, businesses, and community stakeholders, a long-overdue upgrade is underway. With secured funding from both the Federal and State Governments, construction of a new bridge has begun.
The new 100-metre bridge will feature:
- Two 3.5-metre-wide traffic lanes
- Two 1-metre-wide shoulders
- Improved road approaches
- An elevated deck to improve flood resilience
- A stronger design to support greater load capacity
Construction is expected to be completed by Christmas 2025, weather permitting. Once finished, the new bridge will make a real difference — improving safety, reducing flood risks, and supporting the transport needs of our growing mining communities.