Latest news with #RACQ
7NEWS
5 days ago
- 7NEWS
Queenslanders reveal most tiresome traveller habits in new study
As the days quickly cool down, many Australians are fleeing the country for a mid-year getaway in warmer climates. Whether you're a seasoned flyer or a newbie to the skies, a new study has revealed you may be annoying your fellow passengers — whether you know it or not. A new statewide consumer survey by RACQ travel insurance asked almost 500 Queenslanders to nominate their 'biggest air travel pet peeves', and the overwhelming consensus was good travel etiquette should be prioritised. The most frustrating behaviour according to 67.2 per cent of respondents was travellers being inconsiderate of other people's personal space. The second biggest pet peeve was travellers reclining their seats on a short haul flight, followed by the mad rush to exit the plane as soon as it has landed — with respondents rating these behaviours as moderately to very frustrating. Sunrise reporter Georgia Costi hit the streets of the Gold Coast to discover the biggest travel peeves for both locals and tourists and how they compared to the survey. One Gold Coast local said their pet peeve was people who stand too close to the baggage claim area. '(They) block the space, it's so annoying,' they said. Another person complained body odour can turn the start of a dream holiday into a nightmare. 'I once sat next to someone who was very, very enhanced in their BO,' they said. RACQ Travel spokesperson Ashleigh Paterson said Queenslanders have to work together to ensure a positive travel experience. 'Whether it's a long haul or short haul flight, it's clear Queenslanders are increasingly frustrated by subtle, and not so subtle, travelling quirks,' she said. Paterson said planning ahead increases the chances of a seamless experience, with 47.3 per cent of travellers rating preparation as the most important item on a holiday checklist. Stream free on
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Australian competition watchdog approves IAG's acquisition of RACQI
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given the green light for Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) proposed acquisition of RACQ Insurance Limited (RACQI). In a statement issued on 22 May, the watchdog said it 'will not oppose' the proposed deal. The regulatory body review centred on the deal's potential effects on the home, contents, and motor insurance markets and indicated that the acquisition is 'unlikely to substantially lessen competition'. It also highlighted RACQI's waning competitiveness and market share loss since 2019. The commission considered the alternative scenario of RACQI remaining independent, including the broader industry challenges such as more frequent extreme weather events and escalating reinsurance and regulatory expenses. The ACCC also examined the acquisition's implications for related service markets, including smash repair, windscreen replacement, and building repair services. The conclusion was that IAG's market position would not allow it to significantly influence pricing or supply conditions in these sectors. As part of the acquisition agreement, IAG will secure 90% of RACQI's shares from The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland Limited (RACQ), with an option to acquire the remaining shares after two years. The deal excludes RACQ's membership-based business, including roadside assistance. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said: 'Several alternative suppliers of home and contents insurance and motor insurance, including the market leader Suncorp, more established insurers Allianz and QBE, and newer entrants such as Youi, Auto & General, and Hollard will continue to compete in Queensland.' 'While RACQI has strong brand recognition in Queensland, our review found that it does not differentiate in terms of price or coverage. Its prices are generally higher than many alternative suppliers, and that it does not meaningfully differentiate on coverage or service offering in the supply of home and contents insurance and motor insurance.' 'RACQI faces material challenges in continuing to provide competitive insurance due to it serving some areas of higher natural hazard risk, and limited access to capital as a mutual organisation. These challenges have placed limitations on its capacity to compete.' "Australian competition watchdog approves IAG's acquisition of RACQI " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
RACQ patrol driver called out to fix a flat tyre was repeatedly punched in the face. But he was the one sacked
The Fair Work Commission has ruled in favour of a RACQ for firing an employee who was punched up to eight times in the face by a tow truck driver. It handed down its verdict this week after the former recovery truck driver, who previously worked as a skills and tactics instructor with Queensland Police - claimed he was unfairly dismissed. The commission heard the recovery truck driver responded to an incident last October that was initially described as a flat tyre. However, the RACQ worker realised quickly upon arrival that the tyre had been forced into the wheel arch. While he marked out a work area with traffic cones, two truck drivers approached and claimed the car owner clearly had an accident and that it was off-limits for RACQ. RACQ is only authorised to tow vehicles that have broken down, not vehicles involved in accidents. Their interaction was captured on two cameras inside the RACQ worker's vehicle. One of the tow truck drivers attempted to talk with the worker, who in turn called his company's dispatch. The worker told the dispatch operator the driver had suffered a severed ball joint and made passive aggressive remarks within earshot of the truck driver. Those included asking the operator to call police because the tow truck driver was 'in my work site and he won't get out of here'. The tow truck driver responded by saying: 'I have every right to be here mate.' Later in the conversation, the RACQ worker was heard saying 'he's being non-compliant so yeah, he's obstructing' to which the truck driver said, 'Obstructing, yeah right'. The situation escalated after the worker was heard saying 'don't touch the car'. The truck driver was heard responding '… you put your hand on me and we will walk to the corner right now' and 'Get your [expletive] hands off me mate'. Footage showed at that moment, the tow driver had bent down to inspect the busted wheel and the RACQ worker pushed him backwards with two hands. The men then moved off the road and onto a footpath, where the worker swept the tow truck driver's legs from underneath him. He dragged the worker with him as he fell and rolled on top of him before punching the RACQ worker 'in the face seven or eight times'. Finally the second tow truck driver was able to intervene and end the scuffle. 'Following the physical altercation, the men continued their discussions and ultimately the [worker] disconnected the RACQ vehicle and left the scene for the tow truck driver to recover the vehicle,' Fair Work Commission documents stated. The worker later told a dispatch operator that the owner of the damaged car only 'admitted' it'd been in an accident after he'd arrived at the scene. A representative from RACQ claimed the worker had gone against his training and escalated tensions with the truck driver. 'One would question what exactly he expected would happen when he pushed the tow truck driver. It's not known as a shrinking violet industry,' they said. Fair Work Deputy President Lake agreed and added it was unprofessional for the worker to behave in such a way while representing his company. 'The RACQ member was standing a few metres away from the [worker] during his discussion with the tow truck driver,' he said. 'Instead of confirming with the RACQ member whether the vehicle was involved in an accident and stepping away from the situation, in accordance with his training, [he] took it upon himself to place himself between the tow truck driver and the vehicle. 'It was perfectly open to [him] to explain to the tow truck driver, using his words, that the vehicle may have a broken ball joint and that touching the vehicle could be dangerous. 'Instead, [he] simply issued 'directions' to the tow truck driver to move away and then pushed him.' Deputy President Lake concluded the worker had violated RACQ's policies during the incident and was fairly sacked. 'Furthermore, causing the tow truck driver to fall backwards onto the concrete could have seriously injured him,' he said. 'This was done in front of a client whilst wearing [RACQ's] uniform, next to [RACQ's] recovery truck, in full view of the passing public.' The deputy president dismissed the worker's unfair dismissal application.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Little-known speed camera feature targeting drivers with $1,800 fines
The sight of a "cheeky" roadside camera targeting drivers going through road upgrades has prompted a reminder that even if workers are not present, speeding motorists can still cop a fine. The remote-controlled and solar-powered camera, known as a Roadways Behaviour Monitoring System (RBMS), was spotted by a driver who branded the sighting on the A1 in Queensland last month "cheeky", sparking a discussion about revenue-raising. However, authorities and motoring groups have urged drivers to remember that even if workers are not present, there may still be hazards, and fines still apply. "These camera devices enforce the speed limit 24 hours, 7 days a week, regardless of the presence of road-workers," a spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads told Yahoo News. In Queensland, drivers caught speeding less than 11km/h over the limit will cop a $322 fine, and the fine increases by every 10km over the speed limit. Drivers caught going 40km/h over the limit will face a $1,845 fine. In the new financial year which is just weeks away, fines in the state will increase by 3.5 per cent. The cameras began issuing fines in Queensland in April last year following a two-year data collection trial. The portable solar-powered devices were designed and built to sit on top of a mobile platform and be easily moved around worksites via a remote control. Their main goal is to protect roadside workers from speeding drivers around Queensland, however, they were previously criticised for being unrecognisable by passing drivers. RACQ spokesperson Gregory Miszkowycz told Yahoo there are "strict procedures and approvals" for roadworks speed limit setting and signing to ensure they are relevant for the type of work being completed. "It's important to slow down and obey the speed limit as these sites often have road workers within close proximity of traffic as well as other hazards for drivers, including road alignment changes, narrow lanes and loose surfaces," Miszkowycz said. 🦘 Gruesome detail in truckie video shows brutal reality of Aussie roads 🚨 Aussies warned after Tesla footage shows 'stupid' act that can cop a $2,200 fine 🅿️ Driver's 'dishonest and selfish' act on Aussie road sparks council investigation In 2024, Queensland recorded a 15-year high road toll with 303 people killed, and 1,300 deaths were recorded nationally. "Time and time again we see the same 'Fatal 5' dangerous driving behaviours causing the majority of fatal crashes," Miszkowycz said. Speeding Drink and drug driving Driving distracted Driving tired Not wearing a seatbelt RACQ is calling on drivers to change their attitudes towards speeding, to slow down and follow road rules. It is also calling on the state government to "improve law and order" on roads. "We're calling for an increase in highly visible on-road police, more random roadside drink and drug testing, and point-to-point speed cameras in high-crash zones, as well as cracking down on the state's most dangerous drivers through expanded impoundment or immobilisation laws," Miszkowycz said. Transport and Main Roads also urged Aussies to remember that "somebody's family member may be working in these environments, and they want to get home safely". In the 10 years between January 1, 2014 and 30 June 2024, there were 508 casualties in road works zones, with eight fatalities. "Slowing down, adhering to the speed limit, staying alert, driving to conditions, and following directions from traffic controllers will help ensure everyone gets home safely to their families," the spokesperson said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New roadside camera trial to target drivers breaching specific road rule in 'real-time'
Road authorities in one state are set to trial new camera technology aimed to change the behaviour of motorists while they're behind the wheel, and hopefully reduce a nasty habit that has been on the rise in recent years. Queensland is rolling out new technology that will warn drivers to back off if they're caught tailgating on the state's roads. The variable message signs will appear on the side of the road and will display messages to passing motorists if the monitoring technology detects them driving too close to the car in front. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has launched the system at one site and has a couple of others planned for the very near future. A spokesperson for TMR told Yahoo News the trial is very much a "fact finding" mission that is aiming to better understand how prevalent the issue of tailgating is. While drivers can be fined $376 for tailgating in Queensland, the data collected in the trial will simply be used to inform future road safety policies. For now, "there are absolutely no plans" to utilise such technology to issue official warnings or infringements, the spokesperson said. The problem of tailgating is, at least anecdotally, on the rise in Queensland, with one in five drivers recently admitting to doing it. The latest RACQ's Annual Road Safety Survey showed that 20 per cent of motorists admitted to tailgating others on the road, a response that has seen a gradual increase over the years. "Tailgating is a major contributor to road trauma in Queensland, being one of the main causes of rear end crashes," said Joanna Robinson, the general manager of Land, Transport, Safety, and Regulation at TMR. "This new technology will detect unsafe tailgating behaviour, and display a message to motorists in real-time." The signs will act much like the Slow for SAM (speed awareness monitors) signs in the state which are electronic displays which provide feedback to divers based on their detected speed. According to the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, rear end crashes are the most common type of road accident in that state, with the organisation urging drivers to make sure they leave a "two second" gap with the car in front, and more of a gap in adverse conditions such as rain. Meaning behind little-known roadside marker popping up on Aussie roads Tragic detail in Aussie roadside photo prompts urgent call to action Millions warned over new cameras with $3,300 fines and six demerit points Authorities around the country are working to reduce the number of road fatalities and change driver behaviour with greater surveillance and monitoring. "We are seeing an increase in people admitting to aggressive behaviours," RACQ's Road Safety and Technical Manager Joel Tucker said following the group's latest survey in October. "We all get stuck in traffic, we all have places to be and sometimes we make mistakes. It's important to keep a cool head and not to overreact to things that happen on the road, because the consequences of impatience or anger can be life-changing," he warned. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
