In Queensland alone, 297 people lost their lives on the state’s roads in 2022, making it the state’s worst road toll in more than a decade.

National Road Safety Week has commenced and RACQ is urging motorists to do their part in bringing down these horrific numbers.

RACQ Road Safety and Technical Manager Joel Tucker said the country’s road toll should be rapidly decreasing, not on the rise.

“As we mark the beginning of National Road Safety Week, we remember the lives lost on our roads and think of all the families and friends who are living everyday with this tragic heartbreak,” Mr Tucker said.

“When we look at what’s causing so many of these crashes, it is still the fatal five – speeding, drink and drug driving, driving fatigued, not wearing a seatbelt and distracted.

“This shows us that our road environments are not forgiving enough for people to engage in activities that increase their risk of crashing, or to make mistakes, or wrong decisions.

“We need to remember those who didn’t survive their last trip on the roads and make a commitment to getting back to the basics – sticking to the road rules and doing whatever we can to make road safety our priority.”

The latest Transport and Main Roads data shows in 2022:

• Speeding contributed to almost 30% of Queensland deaths
•  22% of fatalities involved drivers or riders under the influence of alcohol
• Drug driving was a factor in 21% of deaths
• Fatigue played a role in almost 11% of fatalities
• Distraction and inattention were a factor in almost 10%

“This week we want motorists to make a promise to always drive as though your loved ones are on the road ahead, to remove all distractions and put down your mobile phone,” Mr Tucker said.

“Promise to put your seatbelt on properly and not to put yourself or others at risk by speeding, driving while tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“These are all very simple things that we can do to make the roads a lot safer and bring down the horrific road toll.

“Road safety is in our hands, and it starts with you.”

Take the pledge to drive so others survive today.