Speed-related road fatalities surge more than 30%
Speed-related deaths increased by a shocking 31.7% on Queensland roads in 2023 compared to the previous five-year average, according to the latest data*, prompting an urgent warning to drivers to stop breaking the law.
RACQ is pleading with motorists to change their attitude towards speeding and prioritise their safety and the safety of other road users every time they get behind the wheel.
Between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2023, speed was a factor in 427 fatalities on the State’s roads and was responsible for more road deaths than any other driver behaviour.
Road Safety and Technical Manager Joel Tucker said in a society that was so concerned about people breaking the law, there was a double standard when it came to speeding.
“The biggest law and order problem in Queensland is unfolding on our roads – it’s evident in the number of offences, deaths and serious injuries,” Mr Tucker said.
“When we focus just on speeding, it has continued to climb every year since 2019 as a key factor in fatal crashes.
“For example, in 2023 speed was to blame for 89 deaths, compared to 51 in 2018. The number of people being hospitalised with serious and life-changing injuries has also increased significantly since 2018.”
RACQ’s latest Young Drivers Survey found on average, open licence holders considered it safe to exceed the speed limit by 8km/h. Even more concerning, 28% of young males surveyed believed exceeding the limit by more than 11km/h was safe.
“This issue is that speeding is culturally ingrained in driver behaviour. Exceeding the speed limit is seen as a norm, not an exception, and this must change,” Mr Tucker said.
After the State recorded a 15-year high road toll in 2024 of 303 deaths, RACQ put forward a suite of recommended reforms to the State Government to urgently reverse the number of people dying and rein in speeding.
The Club is calling for an increase in highly visible on-road police and more point-to-point speed cameras in high-crash zones.
RACQ was also advocating for the expansion of existing impoundment laws to target the State’s most dangerous drivers by including a broader range of speeding and drink and drug driving offences.
Mr Tucker said the laws would see more serious offenders’ cars confiscated or immobilised.
“Drivers offending for the first time with lower-level extreme driving offences would have their cars impounded or immobilised initially for 30 days,” Mr Tucker explained.
“If they offended again, their car could be impounded for 90 days and for a third offence it could be permanently confiscated through legal proceedings.
“Separating extreme drivers temporarily or permanently from their cars will send a strong message to those who continually choose to break the law. Queenslanders don’t want to share the roads with people who don’t obey the road rules.”
As at midnight on 6 May 2025, 91 people have been killed on Queensland roads this year.
Table 1. Fatalities involving speeding*
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Variation in 2023 from the 2018 – 2022 average |
|
51 |
51 |
70 |
78 |
88 |
89 |
+31.7% |
Table 2. Hospitalisations involving speeding*
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Variation in 2023 from the 2018 – 2022 average |
|
380 |
338 |
391 |
451 |
487 |
429 |
+5% |
*Source: Transport and Main Roads Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report.
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