Smash victim rated critical

A MAN was last night in a critical condition after a serious traffic accident on the Captain Cook Highway.

Senior Sergeant Duane Amos said the crash happened about 5.30pm just north of the Holloways Beach turn-off on the Captain Cook Highway.

He said the man involved was riding a motorcycle when the crash happened. There were two cars also involved in the crash.

Paramedics took the man to Cairns Hospital.

The occupants of the two cars were assessed at the scene and were not taken to hospital.

The incident caused peakhour delays to northbound traffic yesterday afternoon.

The crash comes as Cairns Police warn of holiday road danger during the Christmas/ New Year period.

A police campaign running until February will target the Fatal Five which include speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction, fatigue and failure to wear seatbelts.

“These factors are major contributors to fatalities and cause devastation among families with life long memories at a time when we should all be celebrating,” the police spokesman said. “The Far North also experiences onset of the monsoon season over the festive period and we can expect wet roads, flooding and wild weather events that can cause difficulty for road users.” www.cairnspost.com.au

Road safe messages come as shocking dashcam vision emerged on Thursday depicting a tired driver running off the road and smashing into a set of traffic lights on the Captain Cook Highway.

The snoozing driver came to grief at lights on the corner of Arnold St and the Bruce Highway at Aeroglen in front of Jonsson’s Farm Market.

Dashcam footage captures the moment the car veers on to the median strip, the force of the impact rips the traffic pole from it mount as the car rolls and comes to rest on its roof.

As many prepare for long distance road trips, police remind drivers about the importance of managing fatigue.

“Please take care on our Far North roads this year,” the spokesman told the Cairns Post.

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