Ongoing safety concerns at a slip lane in Dutton Park have prompted a resident to take matters into his own hands, because of what appears to be widespread confusion about a key road rule.
Slip Lane Behaviour Triggers Resident Action
A slip lane at the corner of Noble Street and Annerley Road in Dutton Park has become the focus of local frustration, with repeated reports of drivers failing to give way to pedestrians and cyclists. In response, a resident recently attached a hand-painted sign to a traffic light, aiming to warn drivers of their legal obligation to give way.
Under Queensland road rules, vehicles turning left using a slip lane must yield to pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter riders already on or entering the lane. Despite this, incidents continue to be reported at the Dutton Park site, including near-misses involving children and families.
Official Signage Deemed Ineffective
Cross River Rail installed a regulatory “give way at slip lanes” sign in 2023, placed approximately 50 metres before the intersection. Residents argue the sign is too far from the corner to be noticed in time by turning drivers. Many report drivers navigating the corner without slowing or checking for pedestrians crossing the slip lane.
Local advocacy group Active Travel for Annerley described the location as hazardous, particularly with traffic travelling at 60 km/h. Residents crossing with children or using bikes have reported multiple instances where drivers failed to yield or even shouted at pedestrians to stay off the road.
Road Design and Rule Awareness Contribute to Risks
The Queensland Guide to Traffic Management discourages the construction of new slip lanes in urban areas, citing risks to non-vehicle road users. Where slip lanes exist, it recommends raised or signalised crossings. Dutton Park’s Noble Street corner currently lacks such features.
Road safety researchers note that slip lane design can lead to drivers looking right for oncoming vehicles rather than left for crossing pedestrians—contributing to the lack of compliance.
The broader Annerley Road corridor presents further challenges. Its winding layout, limited visibility, and inconsistent speed limits increase difficulty for drivers and vulnerability for pedestrians. A separate petition launched earlier in 2025 called for a review of Annerley Road’s speed limits, noting seven changes over a short distance and inconsistencies with nearby streets.
No Agreement on Responsibility
BCC investigated upgrades for the Noble Street slip lane but advised that Cross River Rail declined to fund the BCC’s preferred intersection redesign. According to the BCC, the intersection lies within the impact area of the Dutton Park station project. Cross River Rail, however, stated the slip lane is outside its delivery scope.
As a result, any upgrade to the intersection would rely on future BCC budget allocations. Meanwhile, residents continue to report dangerous interactions between vehicles and pedestrians at the site.
Community Campaign Expands Push for Safety
Active Travel for Annerley has called for a comprehensive redesign of Annerley Road, including separated cycling lanes and lower speed limits. Their campaign, supported by local school communities and elected representatives, also targets safer pedestrian crossings near Dutton Park Station.
While some intersections across Brisbane—such as in Indooroopilly and Kelvin Grove—have received modifications to improve pedestrian safety, the slip lane at Noble Street remains unchanged.
Looking Ahead
The hand-painted sign at Dutton Park has brought renewed attention to a little-known but critical road rule. Despite regulatory signage and resident advocacy, the situation at the Noble Street slip lane highlights gaps in rule awareness, enforcement, and cross-agency coordination. Calls for safety upgrades remain under consideration, with no confirmed timeline for resolution.
Published 18-June-2025
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