COMMUTERS across Australia are being warned to take care on the roads over the Easter long weekend as traffic begins to bank up across the country.
Commuters in New South Wales are facing the toughest time, with congestion already reported on numerous roads, but Victoria and Western Australia are bracing for the worst while Queensland is expecting closures thanks to flooding in the north.
It comes as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons urge motorists to be safe on the roads.
“Easter, just like Christmas, is one of the worst times on our roads for accidents,” RACS Trauma Committee Chair Dr John Crozier SAID.
“Many choose to drive long distances to go camping or visit family – so this is an important time to heed long weekend road safety warnings.
“Driver fatigue and driver distraction; using mobile phones or other hand held devices, are a dangerous combination. Stop for regular breaks, rehydrate, alternate the designated driver if possible and again put that mobile phone AWAY.”
NEW SOUTH WALES
The New South Wales Transport Management Centre told news.com.au Sydney Airport was already experiencing heavy traffic and warned holiday goers to plan plenty of travel time because “even if people stagger their departures, it’s going to be busy for everyone”.
“As the day goes on traffic will build,” a spokesman told news.com.au.
“We’re feeling it from now onwards because a lot of people left early or worked a half day today. From here on in, we don't expect too much of a reprieve.”
Meanwhile traffic is adding about 30 minute delays to trips on the Princes Highway this afternoon as motorists head away for the Easter long weekend.
The traffic authority said it could not estimate when the congestion would die down, but predicted lunchtime on Good Friday would be a quieter time on the roads.
VICTORIA
Authorities are expecting heavier than normal peak hour traffic to “ramp up” at about 3pm this afternoon and are asking motorists to “be patient, show courtesy, smile and wave”.
“Across the weekend we want to remind people it’s important to check their car, lights brakes and tyres,” a spokesman for Vic Roads said.
Vic Roads said it expected an increase in traffic around the Mornington Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island road and the South Gippsland Highway, which connects the city of Melbourne with the South Gippsland region of Victoria.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authorities said traffic was heavy from midday and another peak was expected at 3pm today.
Despite school kids in Western Australia having Tuesday off as well, Main Roads Western Australia told news.com.au it expected heavy traffic on both Monday and Tuesday
“A lot of school kids have Tuesday off as well so that might change things, possibly we might see a Tuesday morning rush.”
The Kwinana Freeway and Forest Highway are expected to get busier than usual.
News.com.au contacted Traffic Operations in South Australia and the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland for comment.
MORE: What’s open over the 2018 Easter long weekend
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Current conditions are moderate with Port Wakefield Road and Copper Coast Highway experiencing a constant flow of traffic. Currently there are no major delays.
Country roads likely to experience the heaviest traffic are Port Wakefield Highway, Copper Coast Highway and South Eastern Freeway and to a lesser extent Augusta Highway, Sturt Highway, Victor Harbor Road, , Dukes Highway, Riddoch Highway.
The worst times for driving long distances are Thursday night, Monday afternoon and Monday night.
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) is urging South Australian drivers travelling out of the CBD and on country roads to plan ahead, take regular breaks, adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, remain alert and be patient of other road users. Don’t forget to secure loose objects both inside and outside of the car to prevent them from causing damage in the case of an accident.
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