Cameras the only solution
Read the story here: ‘Bureaucracy in the way’: petition to extend school safety zone
Re: the petition to extend school safety zone on Parklands Boulevard. There are two reasons why the extension of the school safety zone on Parklands Boulevard would be a waste of time. Firstly, I finish work at 2pm and drive down Parklands Boulevard, Meridan Plains, through the school zone. Every single time I am overtaken by cars doing between 60km/h to 80km/h through the school zone. So extending it wouldn’t make any difference to these people. And secondly, the amount of people that speed up and go through the red lights at the Parklands Boulevard and Sunset Drive intersection, both ways, is ridiculous. It is only a matter of time before there is a fatality.
The only way to stop people speeding through school zones and going through red lights is to install cameras on the 40km/h school zone signs and red light cameras at the traffic lights at Parklands and Sunset. Plus install signs stating that there are cameras in the area. That will surely slow people down rather than a bit of an extension of the school safety zone, which no one takes any notice of anyway.
Julie Harris, Little Mountain
February 16
Highway just a ‘goat track’
Read the story here: Survey finds Coast roads among worst in state
I read the article about the Bruce Highway. I drive to Townsville twice a year and some parts of the highway are only a goat track. Some of the roadwork signs were out in April last year and they were still out in September. From Mackay north it is riddled with abandoned roadworks, potholes or very little work done in six months.
The governments need to drive these roads to see the true state of them.
Alice Wessling, Peachester
February 15
Intrusion of privacy
Read the article here: Parking loophole closed to stop ‘predatory companies’
I have received two parking fines from a group for overstaying two-hour parking limits by 15 and 12 minutes.
I have and use a disabled parking permit and parked in the designated disabled parking on both visits. My car was identified and then my home address given, where the notification was sent. I have responded three times, spoken to a person and forwarded emails as requested, all to no avail. I’m now waiting for the next intrusion into the use of my personal details.
Maybe I should take the unit that supplied my information (without my authority) to court for this deed, as well as discriminatory behaviour to disability permit holders. We weren’t issued the permit in a lottery. We have a medically supported health issue. All of us deserve better.
Flane Down, Baringa
February 16
Respect is the key
Read the story here: Urgent safety reminder as e-scooter popularity grows
I would like to respond to GM’s letter regarding e-scooter riders.
I understand your frustration and anxiety about some of these riders but please don’t tar us all with the same brush. I am in my 60s, have some mobility issues and am unable to ride a bike. I treated myself to an e-scooter last year and I love it! It enables me to travel shorter distances without using my car. I wear a helmet, have the speed restricted, move across the footpaths and sometimes off the footpath altogether at times because some pedestrians are blatantly disrespectful to scooter riders. I also use the bell when I am approaching people from behind. And if somebody moves out of my way, I smile and thank them.
I don’t think it’s just e-scooter riders who are a danger – it’s all people in general when they lack respect and courtesy. That has to be taught and along with many other issues in our society, when that respect and courtesy becomes common place, we’ll all be a lot better off.
Perhaps next time you see someone tearing along the footpath, try asking them nicely would they mind slowing down please? You might be surprised at their reaction as they probably will be with yours. Just a thought.
Donna Jacks, Forest Glen
February 12
Too many near misses
In reply to ‘Time for action on e-scooters’. I totally agree with the letter. I have been involved and been witness to a number of near misses between e-scooter riders and their unsafe riding practices in regards to both pedestrians and road vehicle users. Just the other day I witnessed an e-scooter rider weaving himself and his scooter between moving cars on Plaza Parade – no sane person would ever consider carrying out such a dangerous and foolish action.
A month ago I tried to obtain the email address of the Maroochydore Police Station, with no luck, so that I could send my concerns in regards to e-scooter riders in the area who are continually breaking the law – not wearing a helmet, speeding, not keeping a clear and safe distance between the rider and pedestrians and so on. As I was unable to directly email the station I decided to send my email to the Queensland Police and I asked for them to forward my email on to the Maroochydore Police. To date, I have received no notification regarding my email from either the Queensland Police or from the police at Maroochydore.
Their silence says a lot to me, that they’re just not interested in e-scooter riders who are disregarding the current laws – so much for community policing.
It would be very interesting to know just how many infringement notices the Maroochydore Police have given out in the past 12 months to e-scooters, but I certainly will not hold my breath for an answer.
James Sabatini, Maroochydore
February 11
Footpath ban needed
This mode of transport should be registered, people riding them should have an e-scooter licence and e-scooters should be banned from footpaths, using bicycle paths instead.
There have been too many accidents and incidents because most riders seem inexperienced, do not known the rules, are oblivious of their surroundings and are inconsiderate of those for whom footpaths are intended.
Sylvia Eberhart, Pelican Waters
February 12
No logic to system
So the process has started. Interest rates are being increased, with more increases forecast. Thousands of home owners with mortgages will have to find more money to meet these increases.
Why? What did these home owners do that justifies them being penalised so?
Of course, the interest rate increases act and will continue to act detrimentally on others as well, both directly and indirectly. Small businesses are already shutting down, staff are being terminated. Landlords will suffer. Suppliers of goods and services will also suffer.
I repeat the question: why?
None of the above did anything other than what they were encouraged/facilitated to do – with government’s blessing.
But now, through no fault of their own, all the above are being penalised when they, in fact, did nothing to cause this economic disaster.
To me, government needs to ensure that interest rates remain fixed and are not allowed to increase.
In the interim, government must seek out the root cause of the above outcomes and provide solutions that do not affect individuals’ lives, their ability to live in their homes, retain their jobs and so on. Raising interest rates without ensuring the perpetrators are the sufferers is unfair and illogical. One does not penalise either a child or an adult for good behaviour. Accordingly, the system must not do so for those who followed the rules when they borrowed.
The above outcomes demonstrate some of the flaws in the financial system as we know it today. It would be more beneficial to most if the ingenuity of our ‘financial whiz kids’ were directed to a far more logical, fair and reliable system.
Brian Bolton, Twin Waters
February 3
Join the cause
According to the Leukaemia Foundation’s latest research, many Australians living with blood cancer, particularly those in regional and remote areas, are under significant financial strain as a result of their diagnosis and treatment.
Forty-three per cent of those diagnosed experienced out-of-pocket treatment costs totaling hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. Regional patients and their loved ones often need to travel long distances or relocate to a capital city to access life-saving treatment, which significantly increases the financial hardship they experience. As a result, some have had to sell assets including their house or car to pay for treatment, with others using charity food boxes and turning to charities like the Leukaemia Foundation for support.
With blood cancer incidence on the rise, and more Australians than ever needing financial, emotional and practical support, the Leukaemia Foundation has launched the 25th anniversary of World’s Greatest Shave to help raise vital funds.
Funds raised will also help research scientists continue their search for better ways to diagnose and treat blood cancer more effectively.
We urge all Australians to join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of World’s Greatest Shave by signing up to shave, cut or colour their hair in support of the growing number of Australians diagnosed with blood cancer every day.
Sign up to World’s Greatest Shave online at worldsgreatestshave.com, or call 1800 500 088 for more information.
Chris Tanti, CEO, Leukaemia Foundation
February 6
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