Journalists wanting to speak to an ACRRM spokesperson are invited to contact Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or email.
With Queensland Road Safety Week underway, Rural Generalist doctors are urging drivers to take extra care, particularly on country roads where risks are greatest.
Last year, 302 people lost their lives and thousands more were seriously injured on Queensland roads, with 70 per cent of those deaths occurring in rural and regional areas.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says that for many rural and remote towns, Rural Generalists (RGs) are not only the local medical practitioner, but also the first responders when accidents occur.
“Too often, RGs are the first on scene after road accidents in their communities,” Dr Martin says.
“We see up close the devastating impact that road trauma has on patients, families, and entire communities.
“Every ACRRM-trained Rural Generalist has strong emergency medicine skills — it’s one of the defining parts of our role.
“Our Pre-Hospital Emergency Care course builds on that training by giving RGs the chance to hone those critical, real-world skills in outdoor and realistic settings.
“It’s about making sure when emergencies do happen, we’re ready to step in with confidence, calm, and the right expertise.”
Dr Martin says rural and remote roads pose unique risks.
“Drivers in country Queensland face long distances, fatigue, wildlife, challenging weather, and isolation.
“While our RG members are highly trained to deliver life-saving emergency care when things go wrong, the best outcome will always be preventing these accidents in the first place.”
He urged Queenslanders to make road safety a shared responsibility.
“Every safe decision, whether it’s wearing a seatbelt, avoiding distractions, taking regular breaks, or slowing down, can save lives. “As Rural Generalist doctors, we see the difference it makes.”
ENDS
Queensland Road Safety Week runs from 18–24 August, focusing on raising awareness and reducing road trauma across the state.
Last year, 302 people lost their lives and thousands more were seriously injured on Queensland roads, with 70 per cent of those deaths occurring in rural and regional areas.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says that for many rural and remote towns, Rural Generalists (RGs) are not only the local medical practitioner, but also the first responders when accidents occur.
“Too often, RGs are the first on scene after road accidents in their communities,” Dr Martin says.
“We see up close the devastating impact that road trauma has on patients, families, and entire communities.
“Every ACRRM-trained Rural Generalist has strong emergency medicine skills — it’s one of the defining parts of our role.
“Our Pre-Hospital Emergency Care course builds on that training by giving RGs the chance to hone those critical, real-world skills in outdoor and realistic settings.
“It’s about making sure when emergencies do happen, we’re ready to step in with confidence, calm, and the right expertise.”
Dr Martin says rural and remote roads pose unique risks.
“Drivers in country Queensland face long distances, fatigue, wildlife, challenging weather, and isolation.
“While our RG members are highly trained to deliver life-saving emergency care when things go wrong, the best outcome will always be preventing these accidents in the first place.”
He urged Queenslanders to make road safety a shared responsibility.
“Every safe decision, whether it’s wearing a seatbelt, avoiding distractions, taking regular breaks, or slowing down, can save lives. “As Rural Generalist doctors, we see the difference it makes.”
ENDS
Queensland Road Safety Week runs from 18–24 August, focusing on raising awareness and reducing road trauma across the state.