Plea to South East Queensland Drivers: Stay Off the Roads

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Minister for Main Roads
The Honourable Craig Wallace

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace has again pleaded with drivers to put off all but the most essential travel.

“Unless you’ve got very good reason, please don’t drive,” Mr Wallace said.

“Toowoomba and parts of the Lockyer Valley are a disaster zone.

“We’ve got numerous road closures across South East Queensland with more to come.

“Today, our expert engineers are out there conducting bridge and road inspections to see if they’re safe for travel.

“But even if roads are open and safe we need to keep them clear for police, emergency service vehicles, road repair crews and people who may need to evacuate.

“It’s not the time for sight-seeing.

“I appreciate people may want to help but honestly the best thing you can do is stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”

"Because of the weather, our emergency services are having trouble getting helicopters in the air, so it's even more important to keep roads as clear as possible."

Mr Wallace warned that the floodwaters had caused massive damage to the state’s road network.

"We continue to urge motorists not to drive on or try to cross closed or flooded roads, bridges and causeways," he said.

Mr Wallace said it was impossible to stop the damage caused by flooding, like that in Toowoomba, but drivers could help reduce the damage by not driving across vulnerable stretches of road.

Drivers are urged to listen to weather updates and road reports on local radio.

For the very latest road closures across Queensland please visit www.131940.qld.gov.au.

Residents concerned about potential impacts to their property are urged to prepare for possible evacuation and monitor the situation by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology website (www.bom.gov.au) or listening to ABC Radio 612 for regular updates.

ENDS

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