News
14 December, 2024
Road death toll nears record levels
RACQ revealed on Wednesday, December 11 that the road toll this year is 287 which is 21 deaths higher than the same time last year.
RACQ revealed on Wednesday, December 11 that the road toll this year is 287 which is 21 deaths higher than the same time last year.
The last time Queensland recorded more than 300 road deaths in a single year was in 2009.
RACQ General Manager of Advocacy, Joshua Cooney, said in the lead up to the holiday period, he expects to road toll to surpass 2022’s 13-year high.
“In that year 297 people died on Queensland roads and we’re tracking towards exceeding that figure,” he said.
“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.
“Despite new cars getting safer with upgraded technology, far too many people are still dying on our roads. It’s unacceptable and government must intervene and work to improve our road safety culture.”
The Fatal Five continue to account for the majority of deaths – notably speeding, drink and drug driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. Sadly, there’s been no reduction on fatigue or distracted driving fatalities.
RACQ’s Annual Road Safety Survey found aggression on roads is increasing and more Queenslanders were choosing to do the wrong thing behind the wheel.
The report revealed 6.5 per cent of respondents admitted to getting behind the wheel while affected by illicit drugs, a 2 per cent increase from last year.
A shocking 77.2 per cent admitted to speeding, 41.4 per cent to driving tired, and 29 per cent to driving distracted.
Motorcyclists are also dying at a disproportionate rate, accounting for an alarming 26 per cent of the growing road toll – a confronting 24 per cent increase from the previous five-year average.
Motorcycles make up just 4 per cent of registered vehicles in Queensland.
These holidays, RACQ was pleading with drivers to make the right choice, take care on the roads and do everything they can to get to their destination safely.
