Shocking footage of erratic driving that led to a terrifying crash on an Australian road has been shared online a week after a man was killed following a suspected road rage incident in Sydney.
On Wednesday, two cars travelling northbound on the Bruce Highway in Queensland were overtaking a truck and were caught on the big rig’s cameras. It appears the car in front was deliberately slowing down in the right lane in response to an alleged tailgating by the driver behind, who was then forced to brake hard. However, as the cars passed the truck, the driver attempted to overtake the other car and move into the centre lane, losing control and veering off the highway.
He was then hit by the truck, then swerved and collided with another vehicle traveling in the left lane, and stopped when he hit the barrier at the side of the road.
Study reveals that “selfish” behavior contributes to road deaths
In a survey published by Finder, 74 per cent of respondents admitted to having been involved in road rage incidents on Australian roads, behaviour known to contribute to road accidents and deaths.
“Road rage is pointless, dangerous and selfish,” Diane McMurtrie, president of Hannah’s Blue Butterflies Road Safety Awareness, told Yahoo News. “Every time we put our keys in the ignition, we’re driving a loaded gun. These images remind us that every decision we make behind the wheel has consequences.”
Last week in Sydney’s west, driver Rhyce Harding, 27, was allegedly hit by a white van and dragged across the road before dying in a suspected road rage incident.
Acting Inspector Shane Ranee said the incident likely followed a road rage altercation. “Words were said, that’s what led us to believe it may have happened due to a road rage incident,” he said last week.
Authorities and advocates have long urged drivers to keep their “emotions in check” while driving, reminding Australians it can be the difference between life and death.
“Don’t drive angry… these drivers should hand over their license and buy a bus ticket,” McMurtrie said.
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