Queensland’s 2024 road toll threatens to be most deadly in 15 years
According to the RACQ, Queensland’s road toll is on track to exceed 300 fatalities in one year for the first time since 2009.
As of December 16, the recorded road toll for Queensland in 2024 was 287 – 22 deaths higher than the same time last year. General manager of advocacy at RACQ, Joshua Cooney, said that with Christmas around the corner, a notoriously busy time on the roads, the confronting reality was that this number was likely to increase dramatically.
“Before Covid, the road toll was trending down and if it continued on that trajectory, road deaths would be closer to 200 but tragically we’ve gone backwards,” Cooney said.
“Despite new cars getting safer with upgraded technology, far too many people are still dying on our roads. It’s unacceptable and the government must intervene and work to improve our road safety culture.”
A majority of deaths can be attributed to the “Fatal Five” – speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, distractions and fatigue.
RACQ’s Annual Road Safety Survey found 6.5 per cent of respondents admitted to getting behind the wheel while affected by illicit drugs, marking a 2 per cent increase from the previous year. 29 percent admitted to driving distracted, 41.4 per cent to driving tired and 77.2 per cent to speeding.
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“It’s clear we have a road safety culture issue in our State, with some motorists continuing to break the law, risking their lives and the lives of others,” Cooney said.
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, dying at a severely disproportionate rate – despite making up just 4 per cent of registered vehicles in Queensland, they account for 26 per cent of the death toll. This represents a confronting 24 per cent increase from the previous five-year average.
This follows after November was recorded the deadliest month on roads across Australia in almost seven years, with no state on track to meet the goal of halving the number of people killed in cars by 2030.
Queensland police have launched its annual state-wide road safety operation to reduce road fatalities over the holiday season, ‘Operation Mistletoe’, which will see an increased number of police on Queensland roads between December 13, 2024 and January 27, 2025, including an additional 112 covert and overt motorcycles all fitted with mobile radars.
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At the launch, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie reflected solemnly on the Queensland road toll.
“Queensland is on track to have more than 300 lives lost on our roads this year – the highest number of deaths in nearly two decades,” Purdie said.
“Christmas and the New Year should be remembered as a time of happiness and joy, not as a time when the selfishness or inattention of others drove a fatal wedge through the hearts of so many families.”
“We don’t need any more empty chairs at the Christmas table this year so please don’t speed, don’t be distracted behind the wheel, don’t drive if you’re tired or have been drinking, and wear a seatbelt.”
According to Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, with more people travelling on the roads of the holiday period, drivers must prioritise safety.
“This is a timely reminder on the importance of staying vigilant behind the wheel, no matter how experienced a driver you are,” Mickelberg said. “To have those rest breaks when travelling long distances, avoiding distractions, and adhering to the speed limit.”
Advice that individuals can follow to prioritise road safety includes:
- Planning your journey ahead of time, making note of rest spots and potential hazards. Check for traffic updates and changes to road conditions.
- Drive to the conditions – particularly in the wake of Queensland’s predicted weather over the holiday period.
- Don’t drive tired – Official recommendations are a break every two hours for at least 15 minutes. If possible, consider changing drivers.
- Do not speed or drive affected by drugs and alcohol and always ensure everyone in the vehicle is correctly wearing their seatbelts.
- Minimise distractions – if possible place mobile phones away from view and turn notifications off on phones whilst driving. Remember it is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, including your lap when driving. This applies even if you’re stopped in traffic.
- Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition and mechanically sound.
- Share the road with all road users. Everyone has somewhere to be, don’t let a frustrated moment put you, your passengers and other road users at risk.
