RACQ reveals shocking truth about Qld drink drivers’ behaviour

Queensland's drink-driving crisis has reached a seven-year high as new research exposes how motorists are going to extreme lengths to dodge breath tests.

More than hald of drivers have admitted to avoiding random breath testing stations. (File picture)

One in six Queensland motorists have admitted to drink-driving, while more than half say they have taken a different route home to avoid roadside testing.

RACQ’s 2025 Annual Road Safety Survey has revealed the disturbing surge in dangerous driver behaviour as drink and drug driving remerge as a cultural problem.

The survey found 15.7 per cent of Queenslanders admitting to drink driving – the highest recorded since the survey began in 2017.

More than half of respondents who admitted getting behind the wheel after drinking said they did so because they still felt capable drive.

In another startling admission, almost half of respondents who nominated themselves as designated drivers said they still had some drinks before driving people home.

The research also exposed some concerning behavioural trends to avoid detection with more than half motorists saying they’ve taken a different route to avoid roadside testing, and nearly 40 per cent using apps to check for police locations.

RACQ head of public policy Michael Kane said the findings show there was an increasing drink and drug driving cultural problem in Queensland that was causing serious harm.

“Between 2020 and 2024, an average of 57 people died each year in crashes involving drink

drivers, and 59 in drug-related crashes,” he said.

“This is an increase from 2019 when the road toll was 220 with 46 deaths involving drink driving and 43 deaths related to drug driving.

“These aren’t just numbers – they’re people who never made it home to their families and friends who are now grieving.”

With the state on track to tragically record a second consecutive year of more than 300 road deaths, RACQ is calling for a continued increase in roadside drug and alcohol testing to expand the likelihood of dangerous drivers being caught.

In June, it was revealed 5233 motorists had been caught drink driving between January and April this year — an average of more than 1300 a month, or 43 a day every day – with police on track to crack two million breath-tests by the end of the year.

RACQ also want drug testing made mandatory for drivers involved in crashes and more

investment in drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

More than 6 per cent of survey respondents admitted driving after taking illicit drugs.

“It’s clear too many drivers are not taking the law seriously, and there has been a shift in

respect for road rules since Covid with road trauma trending up,” Dr Kane said.

“Queensland’s positive drug test rate in 2023 was 21 per cent, more than double that of NSW, yet our state’s drug testing rate was among the lowest in Australia.”

RACQ is also calling for tougher penalties for repeat and extreme offenders, including expanded vehicle impoundment powers to remove dangerous drivers from their vehicles.