University of the Sunshine Coast researchers will this Easter weekend examine the experiences of beach motorists along the popular but accident-prone stretch between Noosa North Shore and Double Island Point.

Levi Anderson of UniSC’s Road Safety Research Collaboration, which partners with the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, said the team would be surveying drivers about their experiences and their perceptions of enforcement and risk when driving on the sand.

“Over the coming weekends, researchers will be traversing the recreational areas on Noosa North Shore and Teewah beaches to speak with drivers,” he said.

The areas attract crowds of campers and daytrippers and queues of vehicle traffic every school holidays.

Mr Anderson said the results would build on previous data collected on the beaches.

“When coupled with official offence and crash data, the results highlight the high propensity for offending by drivers and the high crash rate resulting in serious injury and fatal crashes.

“We have identified a high proportion of high-risk offending on the beach compared to our road network and we are attempting to understand why.”

He said a likely factor was the proportion of beach drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“The aim is to provide research support for government stakeholders working to find solutions for these risky behaviours.” 

Mr Anderson’s research areas include road policing and driver behaviour such as drug driving.