Another Australian 4x4 beach roll-over prompts renewed calls for greater education
Footage of a 4x4 rolling on an Australian beach has reignited calls for the Queensland Government to act on stamping out dangerous driving.
A 4x4 ute which rolled over at Hook Point on Queensland’s K’Gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) has triggered renewed calls for the State Government to provide greater education surrounding dangerous beach driving.
Footage uploaded to social media by 9 News Queensland shows the ute swerving on soft sand, before getting sideways and digging in, causing it to roll over.
The tray at its rear appears to snap off as it completes the roll, while its cabin stays intact, reportedly allowing its occupants to escape without serious injury.
According to 9 News Queensland, the ute was recovered as the tide rose, and emergency services attended the scene.
The incident has drawn the ire of road safety advocates, such as Kent and Kylie Payne, who run the Harrison Payne Initiative in honour of their late son.
Harrison Payne, nicknamed Harry, had turned 18 just 22 days before he was killed in a car crash, as the passenger of a 4x4 which rolled at Woorim Beach on Bribie Island in May 2021.
The driver of the car, then-20-year-old, Lynden Roby was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison in late 2022, while Payne’s parents have since established the Harrison Payne Initiative to lobby the Queensland Government for specific beach driving laws.
“We have no words for this behaviour,” the Harrison Payne Initiative posted, in response to the latest beach roll-over video.
“The reason Harry lost his life is because of a dangerous driver and we continue to see disgraceful driving on our beaches. This is the reason we are calling for Harry’s Law, it won’t stop this type of driving completely however it will ensure that idiots like this will not be allowed on our beaches. Let’s just get it done David Crisafulli [Queensland Premier].
Via their proposed ‘Harry’s Law’, the Paynes have called for beach licensing, as well as “tougher sentencing in line with community expectations”, related to dangerous beach driving.
The institute has already raised funds to provide driving lessons to 20 Queensland learner drivers, and continues to run beach driving education days in conjunction with 4x4 clubs.
