Howard Police and officers from Maryborough Highway Patrol are reminding drivers to ensure their loads are properly secured following a crash at Toogoom this morning, 16 June.
At approximately 8.30am, a white Mitsubishi Canter utility was travelling northbound on Pialba-Burrum Heads Road carrying a small load of timber.
A piece of that timber then fell from the vehicle and became lodged in the windshield of a white Isuzu D-Max that was travelling in the opposite direction.
The driver and passenger of the Isuzu, a 64-year-old Burrum Heads man and a 61-year-old Burrum Heads woman, sustained only minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 17-year-old Nikenbah boy, was issued a traffic infringement notice (TIN) for driving a vehicle with an unsecured load and was fined $333.
He was also issued a TIN for failing to display P plates and was fined $267.
Officer in Charge of Maryborough Highway Patrol Sergeant Josh Churchward said it’s a miracle no one was seriously injured.
“It’s not hard to imagine the catastrophic injuries or death that could have easily occurred,” he said.
“Motorists are responsible for ensuring their loads don’t make their vehicles unstable or unsafe. Ensure you select the right vehicle for the load, position your load correctly and use the right method of load restraint.”
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
As part of Operation Interpose, police are bolstering high-visibility patrols right across the state, engaging with road users and enforcing the laws to deter dangerous driving behaviours.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Road safety starts with you.
