Potholes, spillages, fallen trees, flotsam on roadways and other hazards can pose serious risks to road users. Reporting such road hazards to the appropriate authorities is important to minimise risk and prevent damage or injury. It also puts road authorities on notice of the hazard which may need to be proven in cases where a person wishes to seek compensation for injuries resulting from a hazard that was not remedied within a reasonable time.
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How to report road hazards
The appropriate authority to contact in a given situation, will depend on the type of hazard and who controls the road. If you spot an unsafe vehicle on the road that has also become a hazard, you can report it to the authorities as well.
Urgent hazards on major roads
If you encounter any urgent issue or hazard affecting a Queensland state-controlled road, contact the Queensland Transport and Main Roads and RACQ statewide reporting service on 13 19 40.
This can include:
- potholes
- traffic lights out
- road flooding
- damaged or missing guard rails
How do I know which roads are Queensland state controlled roads?
State controlled roads include:
- motorways,
- highways,
- arterial roads,
- major connection roads.
You can refer to this map which indicates state controlled roads in Queensland.
What are locally controlled roads?
Any road that is not state controlled is managed by the local council in that area. Brisbane City council may be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent issues on (07) 3403 8888.
Non-urgent issues can be reported on the 'Report an Issue' section of the Brisbane City Council's website.
Contact details for other local councils in Queensland can be found on the Department of Local Governments' site.
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