Queensland has recorded its deadliest year on the roads in over a decade and a half, with 302 people killed in 2024, according to the RACQ. This tragic figure marks the highest road toll since 2009, reigniting urgent conversations about road safety, enforcement, and driver responsibility.
Dylan Anderson
Driver behaviour the leading cause of crashes
RACQ Head of Public Policy, Dr Michael Kane, pointed to poor choices behind the wheel as the root cause of most fatal incidents.
"The confronting reality is the vast majority of fatal crashes involve poor driver behaviour," he said.
"Speeding, drink driving, and drug driving are the top killers on our roads, and we need strong and urgent law reform to curb this alarming trend and improve our road safety culture."
RACQ says that despite existing penalties, dangerous behaviour continues unchecked. The organisation is now calling on the Queensland Government to rethink enforcement strategies and prioritise cultural change.
"Before COVID, our road toll was trending down and by now we should be seeing a road toll closer to 200, not 300," Dr Kane added.
Dylan Anderson
Financial pressure impacts how Queenslanders maintain vehicles
The rising death toll also coincides with growing cost-of-living pressures, which may be influencing how Queenslanders maintain and insure their vehicles.
According to the latest mycar Tyre & Auto Mobility Index, economic strain is leading many drivers to delay servicing and cut back on insurance.
- 60% of respondents changed their maintenance habits due to financial stress
- 77% now perform basic repairs themselves
- Nearly 1 in 4 are stretching the time between services
- 49% altered their insurance coverage — with 11% cancelling policies altogether
These trends have raised concerns about vehicle reliability and protection in the event of an accident, especially as insurance lapses and delayed servicing become more common.
Distracted driving and new tech raise safety questions
The Mobility Index also revealed lingering unease about the rise of autonomous vehicle technology.
- 44% of respondents expressed concerns about self-driving cars
- 88% admitted to seeing others distracted by in-car tech
- But only 24% confessed to doing so themselves
These findings highlight the need for public education campaigns to keep pace with evolving vehicle technology and promote safer habits.
Dylan Anderson
What's next for Queensland drivers?
As Queensland faces its worst road safety crisis in 15 years, calls are growing for a multi-faceted approach:
- Stronger enforcement of existing laws
- Cultural change targeting driver behaviour
- Economic support to keep cars roadworthy
- And improved public understanding of new vehicle technologies
RACQ says it will continue working with the state government to push for reforms. In the meantime, the message for all Queenslanders is clear: drive responsibly, stay alert, and prioritise safety — every life on the road counts.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
