It’s time to ‘Get Serious on Road Safety’
And 2025 has not fared much better, with 139 people killed in the first half of the year. Behind these numbers are families shattered, communities grieving, and a system struggling to keep dangerous drivers in check.
RACQ is stepping up its advocacy, partnering with leading Queensland organisations to launch its “Get Serious on Road Safety” campaign, demanding stronger laws and smarter enforcement to reverse this tragic trend.
General Manager Advocacy Joshua Cooney said the Club’s campaign lays out a 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.
“Over the past 4 years, 4000 of Queensland’s most dangerous drivers racked up more than 95,000 traffic offences - that’s an average of 23 offences each. Enough is enough.”
We’ve partnered with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Qld, Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), and the Queensland Trucking Association to send a strong message to the State Government that it’s time to get serious on road safety.
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 in crashes that involved speeding, almost one third of the road toll.
RACQ’s research also shows that only one-third of drivers consistently obey speed limits, and worryingly, many young drivers believe moderate speeding is safe.
“We’re seeing a dangerous shift in driver behaviour with speeding, drink and drug driving, and motorcycle fatalities all rising sharply since COVID,” Mr Cooney said.
“To combat this, RACQ is calling for more point-to-point speed cameras in high-risk zones and expanded impoundment laws to confiscate cars from serious or repeat offenders.”
Drug and Alcohol Driving: A silent epidemic
Queensland’s roadside drug testing rates have been among the lowest in Australia, yet the State’s drivers are testing positive at more than twice the rate of NSW. We’ve been low on testing but high on positive results. On average 57 deaths per year on Queensland roads involved a drink driver and 59 involved a drug driver.
“We need to make people doing the wrong thing to feel they will be caught and that there will be real consequences,” Mr Cooney said.
“RACQ is pushing for a dramatic increase in roadside testing and mandatory drug testing for all road users involved in crashes. We also need to see more support for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services targeting drug and drink drivers.
Motorcycle Safety: A disproportionate toll
Motorcycles make up just 4% of registered vehicles in Queensland, but riders accounted for more than 25% of road deaths in 2024. On roads like Mount Glorious, 92% of serious crashes involved motorcycles with most 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 improve rider education and support a graduated licensing system that prioritises real-world skills.”
Vehicle Security: Stopping stolen cars from becoming weapons
Stolen vehicles are increasingly involved in fatal crashes, yet Queenslanders have no reliable way to assess vehicle security. RACQ is advocating for a new 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 deter theft-related crime,” Mr Cooney said.
A call to action
RACQ’s road safety reforms package is more than a wish list; it’s a call to action. It’s about restoring order on our roads, protecting lives, and demanding accountability from those who endanger others.
RACQ is committed to representing its members and pushing for the changes Queensland desperately needs. Behind every statistic is a person with a story, and every life lost is one too many. It’s time to get serious on road safety.
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