Bass Highway safety upgrades urged by RACT

The RACT has called for the Bass Highway, specifically the stretch between Devonport and Launceston, to be prioritized in Tasmania’s next road safety strategy. The motoring body released a suite of initiatives aimed at addressing the state’s road toll, arguing that minor adjustments to current policies are insufficient.

A safety audit of the highway highlighted several hazards, including high speed limits, narrow shoulders, and sections lacking separation between opposing traffic. One specific segment, between the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and Gannons Hill Road junctions, has seen 15 deaths and 31 serious injuries since 2001. Recent incidents, including a head-on collision in September that killed three people near Elizabeth Town, have increased public pressure for upgrades.

Transport Minister Kerry Vincent stated that work on the deadly stretch has been prioritized and that the government is working toward allocating tenders and design work to begin improvements as soon as possible next year. Proposed works include adding lanes for turning.