Mareeba fails road test
Worst pass rate in state for learner drivers
MAREEBA has the worst pass mark in the state when it comes to learner drivers, new figures show.
The Transport and Main Roads’ Mareeba site has passed less than half those sitting the practical driving test, with a reported rate of just 45.3 per cent.
This is nearly 10 per cent less than the Cairns customer service centre, which has reSHE corded a pass rate of 54 per cent.
The dismal showing reflects a state wide trend since 2017.
More than 35 per cent of 300,000 learners were failing their practical driving tests for their provisional licence.
Innisfail recorded a 49.5 per cent pass rate while Weipa and Thursday Island, more promisingly, recorded 97.8 and 94.8 per cent pass rates respectively.
The RACQ’s head of technical and safety policy Steve Spalding said there would be a “number of reasons” behind the different results at each testing centre.
“It could be some localised road conditions or network that make it more challenging for the student,” he said. “It might be higher traffic. “It might be that they get a difference in the number of young drivers that are well prepared as opposed to not yet ready.”
Mr Spalding said the statewide failure rate also showed the testing regimen “was doing its job”, and stressed it was important that driving schools were properly preparing their students for the test.
“To be properly ready to drive, you need between six and 10 lessons with a professional instructor – sometimes more,” he said.
“If the parents of a young driver can afford it, it’s money well spent.”
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said pass and fail rates depended on “individual skill levels”. and old. Life isn’t guaranteed, so I just take every day as it comes.
“At the end of the day, life is unpredictable and the cancer could come back any day. I’m aware of that.”
More than 1000 walkers from 88 teams participated in the 18-hour event.
The team from Trinity Accountants raised $17,500.
Like many at the relay, accountant Rod Sherrington had a personal stake in the event.
“Being diagnosed with cancer at 48 was a stark moment,” Mr Sherrington said.
Staff hit the phones and clients dug team to support the cause.
“It was really nice to find everyone was so supportive,” Mr Sherrington said.
“I was diagnosed back in March, so there was a real personal connection for all of us.”
At last count, the 2019 Cairns Relay for Life raised $200,000. The Cairns Post team raised about $8000.
BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AT 48 WAS A STARK MOMENT