The Queensland Government has been awarded the 3M-ACRS Diamond Road Safety Award at the Australasian College of Road Safety awards, held at the inaugural Australasian Road Safety Conference 2015 at the Gold Coast last week.
The Queensland Government won the award for the delivery of the Bruce Highway Centre-Line Widening Treatment, which was presented by Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Australasian College of Road Safety President Lauchlan McIntosh, and Cade Turner representing 3M Australia.
The awards recognise exemplary innovation effectiveness to save lives and injuries on Australian roads.
The awards ceremony was attended by over 550 of Australasia’s foremost road safety professionals and advocates at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Our 2015 winner, represented by David Bobbermen from the Queensland Government, demonstrates an effective and innovative approach to reducing road trauma on the 1600kms of the Bruce Highway,” said Mr. McIntosh in a statement.
“The project saw the rapid implementation of a range of key road safety treatments including the widening of the centre line for one third of the highway, with the saving of 30 lives per year.
“The Queensland Government is being congratulated through this award for driving such a transformative project involving around 100 team members.
“The benefits of this safety legacy will be felt by our entire society for many years to come.”
Judges considered the specific features of the many projects submitted, particularly in terms of innovation in thinking and technology, problem-solving as well as the real benefits in reducing trauma. Cost-effectiveness and transferability to other areas were other key criteria.
The Highly Commended winners for 2015 were also presented their awards at the ceremony and are as follow:
Peter Frazer, President, Safer Australian Roads And Highways (SARAH) for the “2015 Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week”
Chris Fullelove, Transmax Pty Ltd, for the “Emergency Vehicle Pre-Emption Project”
Senior Constable Sarah Grayson, Qld Police, for the “Stay on Track Outback Project”, and
Rod Hannifey from Truckright, for the “Truckright, Trucks, and Road Safety Project”