In a tragic case where two young workers were killed by a reckless driver, a large Queensland transport company was prosecuted and fined $180,000 for failing to have safe systems in place for mechanics undertaking roadside repairs (WorkSafe Queensland v CDC South East Queensland Pty Ltd [2024]). 

The transport company, CDC South East Queensland Pty Ltd, operates bus services on the Sunshine Coast, employing more than 180 workers and operating approximately 160 vehicles. 

On the day of the incident, two of the company’s mechanics were called to respond to a roadside breakdown. After managing to restart the broken-down bus, the mechanics drove it a short distance to a nearby shoulder lane, where they parked the bus with its hazard lights on. The mechanics then accessed the control panel located on the driver’s side to investigate the cause of the breakdown. While doing so, both mechanics were struck by a motor vehicle that had veered over the boundary line. Both mechanics died from their injuries. 

In sentencing the company, the Magistrate considered that the risk of harm and the potential consequences were severe in circumstances where the company did not have adequate safety procedures in place and where workers were not adequately trained in responding to roadside breakdowns. In mitigation, the Magistrate considered the company’s clean record, early guilty plea, good standing as a corporate citizen, the support provided to the victims’ families and the significant steps taken to improve its safety procedures following the incident. 

The driver of the motor vehicle was separately charged by police and convicted for the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.