Tragedies waiting to happen

PEOPLE working in businesses near Townsville’s most dangerous intersection say it’s so bad they now expect accidents to happen.

Department of Transport and Main Roads data showed the worst spot in the city for accidents was the Deeragun Rd and Geaney Lane intersection.

There were 13 crashes and 18 casualties from the start of 2016 to the end of December 31.

The Vinnies store at Deeragun is on Deeragun Rd just down from Geaney Lane.

Volunteer Debbie Stone said she wasn’t surprised it was at the top of the list.

“If we hear the sirens we usually know it’s heading here, it’s just such a dangerous spot especially around school times,” Ms Stone said.

“I do worry and panic a bit because I think ‘oh no it could be me or someone I know’.”

Pet Barn Deeragun manager Katrina Stewart, from the shop next door, said staff now “expect” crashes to occur at the problematic intersection.

“Every couple of weeks there’s a crash there, I’ve witnessed three or four of them myself,” Ms Stewart said.

“It’s basically expected now and just waiting for the next one to happen, there definitely needs to be something done.”

Ms Stewart, who has lived in the suburb for 11 years, said the intersection’s poor design was behind the alarming number of crashes.

Drivers leaving the shopping precinct are forced to turn left on to Deeragun Rd until reaching a T-intersection where it’s believed illegal U-turns are often to blame for collisions.

“People are limited in getting out of the shops and trying to get back on the highway and they just presume most people are turning and drive out in front of them instead of giving way,” Ms Stewart said. “They need more (traffic) lights.”

There is a potential fix on the way for the dangerous intersection.

Improvements to the intersection have been funded under the 2019-20 Black Spot Program, with the works to be done by Townsville City Council.

The second most dangerous intersection was identified as the corner of Crowder St, Langton St and Ingham Rd in Garbutt. There were six people injured in four crashes. A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said it was everyone’s responsibility to ensure road safety.

“Every death or serious injury is one too many,” the spokeswoman said.

“The fatal five continue to be the leading cause of deaths on our roads and all motorists need to be aware of them and take them seriously – drink and drug driving, fatigue, inattention, not using a seat belt and speeding.”