Crook: Accident prompts calls for road upgrades and improved mobile coverage
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 19-February-2010
The recent tourist bus crash in the Northern Territory has highlighted the need for better communication services and improved major roads in regional Australia, according to The Nationals candidate for the Federal seat of O'Connor, Tony Crook.
Last week's horror incident in which a Greyhound bus travelling from Alice Springs to Darwin crashed on the Stuart Highway saw 10 people seriously injured and flown to Alice Springs Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
With no mobile telephone coverage in the vicinity of the accident, the bus driver set off an emergency beacon after the crash.
Mr Crook said while it may be physically and financially impossible to reach all of Australia with mobile coverage, all major road corridors should be serviced.
“We’re seeing a great deal of Federal investment in new highways and communications networks for the Eastern States – this is great for them, but infrastructure in remote and regional Australia needs serious attention,” Mr Crook said.
“Investment in road networks is a priority and mobile phone coverage should be linked to any infrastructure improvements as an integral part of ensuring a safer passage for road users.
“The technology is available to shadow major roads with phone coverage.
“WA is a vast state. We desperately require better mobile phone coverage, for safety and peace of mind.”
Mr Crook said it was fortunate that the bus driver was able to set off an emergency beacon after the crash.
The signal was picked up in Canberra and relayed to Tennant Creek. Tennant police then alerted Helen Springs homestead, just 13 kilometres from the crash scene.
Communication delays could have serious consequences in an emergency situation.
“As we all know, time is critical in emergencies and a phone upgrade could save lives in regional areas,” Mr Crook said.
