Croc spotting drivers endangering others on Mowbray Bridge
DANGEROUS DRIVERS
Road users have been asked to drive with care and caution on the Captain Cook Highway over the Mowbray River Bridge, after reports that some motorists have nearly caused major crashes by slowing right down or even stopping to spot crocodiles.
Newsport has received reports of the potentially disastrous problem after we recently published an article about slow drivers holding up traffic on the Highway between Port Douglas and Cairns.
But in the other direction, it appears some local motorists have experienced a similar issue on the Mowbray Bridge.
“And for the love of God, please don’t stop on the Mowbray Bridge to look at the croc!” one reader posted in our social media comments.
“It is a 100km/hr zone and some tourists come to a dead stop on the bridge. There is a great big parking area off to the side for this purpose. Be safe!”
Another reader pointed out of a near-miss he encountered on the Bridge.
“Almost got rear ended and killed by a truck while riding my motorbike on that bridge because a car had slowed to 10km/h on the bridge.”
There have been some suggestions about signage which might alleviate the problem.
“It really is a dangerous predicament there! Maybe if the council placed signage to let people know there is an area to pull over ahead? And perhaps a lowered speed limit for that section to allow for safe exit and access.
The state government’s TMR department is responsible for any signage on main roads, including the Captain Cook Highway. We have put questions to them about possible signage letting drivers know about the pull over area, and will report what response we receive.
Reaction to Newsport’s slow driver story
There was plenty of reaction to our earlier story about the slow drivers between Port Douglas and Cairns – many who apparently don’t let motorists wanting to do the speed limit pass – and quite a few theories from readers about solutions.
This was one suggestion: “'Give way', signs need to be erected in those very short, pull in areas as so many tourists, do the right thing and pull in, then panic, and pull straight out again, stressing the traffic behind them.”
The same person also said “It's not the slow drivers, that are the problem, it's the stressed out, impatient drivers that overtake on double white lines and speed. Why are we aiming at the nervous, inexperienced or slow drivers? It's not like there's another way to go from Mossman to Cairns. They shouldn't feel like they have no choice but to go fast.”
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