Politics

Fatal crash gridlock sparks debate over traffic control tactics

May 23, 2018

Brisbane's CBD was brought to a standstill following a fatal accident on one of the city's busiest streets. Picture source: Getty (stock image used)

Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has caused a heated debate after he criticised how Queensland Police handled a fatal traffic incident in Brisbane’s CBD on Tuesday.

A woman was killed after being struck by a bus at peak hour along one of the city’s busiest intersections. After the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, police closed Ann Street, one of the city’s busiest streets, and set up traffic diversions around the city. It caused chaos and gridlock for commuters heading into the city, with police encouraging motorists to avoid the area while the Forensic Crash Unit investigated the scene. There were delays for several hours, which prompted Newman to tweet his disgust at how police handled the situation.

“There must be a better way for the QLD Police to deal with tragic pedestrian death that to shut down the entire northern side of Brisbane and create total and utter chaos extending more than 5km from the CBD,” he tweeted. “And for those of you who don’t agree, what about the surgeons and doctors who didn’t get to hospitals on time, the cancer patients who were heading for treatment, the kids who had exams, the people who missed job interviews etc. etc.?”

And for those of you who don't agree, what about the surgeons and doctors who didn't get to the hospitals on time, the cancer patients who were heading for treatment, the kids who had exams, the people who missed job interviews etc. etc. ? https://t.co/dCPec2CVg0

— Campbell Newman (@CampbellNewman) May 22, 2018

A spokesperson from the Queensland Police Service told Starts at 60 the service takes its responsibility to investigating fatal traffic accidents very seriously.

“The Queensland Police Service (QPS) takes its responsibility for investigating fatal traffic crashes seriously,” the spokesperson said. “It is standard procedure to close a road where a fatality has occurred while investigators from the Forensic Crash Unit conduct thorough scene examinations without interference from traffic.”

The spokesperson also said the QPS was conscious of ensuring scenes of fatalities are managed with dignity and respect for not only victims, but their families.

Understandably, there were some people upset by Newman’s tweets, with many defending the police’s decision to shut off the streets. He was called everything from an “insensitive prat” to “unrealistic” and “inconsiderate” and made headlines around the country for his comments. Leader of the LNP Queensland party Deb Frecklington also tweeted her disappointment in Newman’s comments.

https://twitter.com/greyman003/status/998740013876563968

You insensitive prat.

— Brooke Jacobson, BA (@brookeCjacobson) May 22, 2018

“My thoughts are with the family of the woman killed in Brisbane CBD today and the first responders who tried so valiantly to save her,” she said. “I don’t care what side of politics you are on, the former Premier’s comments this morning were insensitive and inappropriate.”

Still, Newman stood by his comments, saying they weren’t about politics.

“Interesting to speak to a number of journos this afternoon about this sad and tragic incident. Even more interesting to note that a number said they full agreed with me on the need to better manage,” he said.

He also had a message for other people who had criticised his comments.

“Gee. What would they say if someone had died in the back of an ambulance this morning that had been injured in an incident elsewhere but couldn’t get to the RBH [Royal Brisbane Hospital] in time due to the traffic? Let’s stick to the point rather than name calling and invective.”

He also clarified that his tweets were about how police could better deal with incidents so it doesn’t cause chaos and dangerous consequences for others.

The spokesperson from the Queensland Police Service told Starts at 60 police acted quick and sent out an alert to the public within minutes.

“On this occasion, a traffic alert was issued to the public within minutes of the incident and local diversions were put in place while the intersection was close to traffic for two hours.”