GET A MOVE ON: Slow Captain Cook Highway drivers put on notice

FRUSTRATING DRIVERS

David Gardiner

Journalist

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Police say holiday drivers on the Capt Cook Highway should always be aware about how their slow driving affects motorists behind them. Picture: Submitted

Slow drivers on the Captain Cook Highway have been assertively reminded that they can been fined for causing motorists behind them – who simply want to do the speed limit – to slow down.

Newsport has received numerous complaints recently from readers and others who use the Highway to regularly commute to Cairns, who’ve noticed a growing incidence of ‘crawlers’ or slow drivers, most probably unfamiliar with the road, mostly single-lane in each direction.

There are only two areas along the 65-kilometre Highway stretch with proper passing lanes, one at Wangetti, the other near Ellis Beach.

“Unfortunately a lot of them ignore the slow vehicle lanes and just drive straight past them, and don’t yield for people who drive the range regularly,” Sgt Damian Meadows, officer-in-charge at Port Douglas Police said.

Slow driving a possible offence

In the case of the Highway, like many other roads where speed limits range from 60-to 100 kph, Sgt Meadows said often the slow drivers are most likely to be visitors unfamiliar with the road who are not aware of how their driving affects traffic following behind them.

“There is an offence for driving without due care and consideration for other road users, and that’s enforceable,” Sgt Meadows said.

“If they’re driving at 45 kilometres an hour, well they’re clearly oblivious to what’s going on around them, so enforcement action can be commenced.”

Dashcam footage welcomed

The Highway between Douglas and Cairns is, according to the senior police officer, difficult to patrol safely. Sgt Meadows said the more information, including dashcam video or good descriptions from drivers that police can obtain from those affected by slow motorists, the better.

“I do urge people if they do have dashcam footage, to put a complaint on the system,” he said.

“The problem being though, half the time these people are from interstate and following up traffic complaints tend to be somewhat problematic if they’re travelling further at the time – they could end in the Northern Territory, the Cape or anywhere.”

Advice: be mindful of regular Highway users

He has some stern advice, particularly for holidaying drivers who don’t know the area, and the Highway.

“If you are travelling a road that you’re unfamiliar with, be mindful of the fact that there are other people that drive that road on a daily basis,” Sgt Meadows said.

“There are plenty of people that live in Port Douglas and plenty of people who live in Cairns commuting in opposite directions daily for employment, and there are plenty of locals up here who travel to Cairns two or three times a week for other reasons.”

Lack of consideration by some road users leads to frustration by drivers who know the road and who are used to going the speed limits, not slower.

“They end up creating a dangerous situation by not being mindful of the fact that those people are travelling close behind them.”

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