Why it’s time to ‘Get Serious on Road Safety’

Queensland’s roads are in crisis.

In 2024, the State recorded  302 road deaths – the highest toll in 15 years. Now, 2025 is on course for a worse number.

Behind these numbers are families shattered, communities grieving, and a system struggling to keep dangerous drivers in check.

During Queensland Road Safety Week 2025, RACQ joined forces with leading national organisations to launch its Get Serious on Road Safety campaign – demanding stronger laws and smarter enforcement to reverse this tragic trend.

RACQ General Manager Advocacy Joshua Cooney said the campaign laid out a clear blueprint for change.

“One of the biggest law and order problems in Queensland is unfolding on our roads – it’s evident in the number of offences, deaths, and serious injuries,” Mr Cooney said.

“Each fatal crash leaves behind more than just wreckage. It tears families apart and leaves first responders impacted forever.”

At the heart of the issue is dangerous driving.

Transport and Main Roads data shows over the past four years 4,000 of Queensland’s most dangerous drivers have racked up more than 95,000 traffic offences – an average of  23 offences each.

To shine a light on the crisis, RACQ has launched a Fatal and Serious Crash Dashboard  – an interactive tool that breaks down crash data by electorate from 2019 to 2023.

Over five years, serious and fatal crashes have cost Queensland $35.7 billion – a figure that accounts for social aspects like insurance claims, emergency response, infrastructure repairs and the heartbreaking toll of lives lost and communities impacted.

You can view the map and campaign website at racq.com/getseriousonroadsafety.

By partnering with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Qld, Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), and the Queensland Trucking Association, RACQ is sending a strong message to the State Government: it’s time to get serious on road safety.

RACQ Group CEO and Managing Dlirector David Carter speaking at the launch of the Get Serious on Road Safety campaign.

Speeding: A culture of risk

Speeding remains one of the deadliest behaviours on our roads.

Between 2020 and 2024, an average of 79 people were killed each year in crashes involving speeding – nearly one-third of the road toll.

RACQ research shows only one-third of drivers consistently obey speed limits and, alarmingly, many young drivers believe speeding up to 11 km/h over the limit is safe.

“We’re seeing a dangerous shift in driver behaviour,” Mr Cooney said.

“Speeding, drink and drug driving, and motorcycle fatalities have all risen sharply since COVID.”

To combat this, RACQ is calling for:

• More point-to-point speed cameras in high-risk zones.
• Expanded impoundment laws to confiscate vehicles from serious or repeat offenders.

Drug and alcohol driving: A silent epidemic

Queensland’s roadside drug testing rates are among the lowest in Australia, yet drivers here test positive at more than twice the rate of NSW.

On average, according to Transport and Main Roads, 57 deaths per year involve a drink driver, and 59 involve a drug driver.

“We need people doing the wrong thing to feel they will be caught – and that there will be real consequences,” Mr Cooney said.

RACQ is advocating for:

• A doubling in random roadside breath testing.
• Mandatory drug testing for all road users involved in crashes.
• Greater support for rehabilitation services targeting drug and drink drivers.

Motorcycle safety: Disproportionate deaths

Motorcycles make up just 4% of registered vehicles, yet riders accounted for more than 25% of road deaths in 2024.

On roads like Mount Glorious, 92% of serious crashes involved motorcycles – mostly on weekends, in clear and dry conditions, and on curves.

“We urgently need licensing reform that focuses on rider proficiency and crash avoidance skills,” Mr Cooney said.

RACQ is:

• Working with training providers to support improved rider education.
• Calling for a reformed licensing system that prioritises real-world skills.

Vehicle security: Stopping stolen cars from becoming weapons

Stolen vehicles are far too regularly involved in fatal crashes, yet Queenslanders have no reliable way to assess a vehicle’s security.

RACQ is advocating for a vehicle security standard to help consumers choose safer cars and deter theft-related crime.

“A trusted rating system will help consumers choose safer vehicles and aftermarket products and deter theft-related crime,” Mr Cooney said.

A call to action

RACQ’s road safety reform package is more than a list of recommendations – it’s a powerful call to action aimed at restoring order on Queensland roads, saving lives, and holding reckless drivers accountable.

With a deep commitment to representing its members, RACQ is actively pushing for the urgent changes our state needs to address the road safety crisis. Behind every statistic is a real person, and every life lost is one too many.

While RACQ continues to lobby government for stronger policies and enforcement, road safety is a shared responsibility.

Whether you're behind the wheel or on two wheels, your actions matter.

By staying alert, making safe choices, and respecting others on the road, you can help reduce the road toll.

It’s time we all take road safety seriously – because everyone has a role to play.

Visit racq.com/getseriousonroadsafety to find out more.