Editorial: Qld’s grim road toll milestone is shame of state

For too long, the state government has politicised the Bruce Highway, using a patchwork and piecemeal approach to try to convince regional Queenslanders that they care, writes the editor.

Queensland’s road toll has reached a sickening high. (File picture)

Queensland’s horror road toll in 2024 is proof that slapping drivers with some of the highest fines in the country is simply not working.

Not only is it time individuals started taking more responsibility for their actions, governments need to get serious about ensuring road funding targets the most dangerous sections of road, rather than being used to pork-barrel votes. The grim toll of 301 deaths (so far) is the highest on Queensland roads since 2009, when 331 people were killed.

It is also Australia’s second highest road toll, just behind NSW on 336.

Alarmingly, many of these were preventable, with 95 per cent involving the fatal five of speeding, drink or drug-driving, fatigue, distraction, and not wearing seatbelts. That is despite, as we reveal today, Queensland having some of the highest traffic fines in the country.

For example, drivers in this state face fines of $1209 for mobile-phone use, significantly higher than other states such as Western Australia, which fines drivers $500 for the same offence.

As Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Janelle Andrews told The Courier-Mail, despite advancements in technology and infrastructure, human factors such as decision-making and driver actions remained the most significant contributor to crashes.

“Speeding, drink or drug-driving, fatigue, distraction, and not wearing seatbelts are preventable behaviours that are involved in 95 per cent of fatal crashes,” she said. “The Queensland Police Service remains committed to tackling road safety from every angle, but we can’t do it alone. Each of us must take deliberate action and responsibility for our behaviour on the road and hold each other to account.” Also contributing to the road toll is the state of Queensland’s roads, most notably the Bruce Highway, which recorded 41 deaths this year, well above the five-year average.

The Courier-Mail, in conjunction with its regional mastheads, has spearheaded the Help Our Highway campaign this year, demanding a commitment from all levels of government to “finish” the 1679km stretch.

For too long the Bruce Highway has been a blight on Queensland and, as the statistics prove, it is only getting worse.

Transport Minister Brett Mickelberg, reacting to the 2024 road toll, called on the federal government to stump up 80:20 funding on the highway. He said: “Ultimately it’s Queenslanders who lose when the Bruce Highway is not at the standard it needs to be, and Queenslanders die on the Bruce Highway because it’s not up to standard.” But Mr Mickelberg needs to be reminded that it’s not just on the federal government – and the last thing we need is more blame-shifting and talking.

For too long, the state government has politicised the Bruce Highway, using a patchwork and piecemeal approach to try to convince regional Queenslanders that they care.

As we have said throughout 2024 as part of the Help Our Highway campaign, the responsibility lies with both levels and both sides of government.

One death on our roads is one too many, so the fact there have been 301 in just 12 months is a tragedy.

Next time you get behind the wheel, consider the consequences of your actions and the devastation felt by the 300 families torn apart by road fatalities this year.

As Assistant Commissioner Andrews says, road safety isn’t just a personal responsibility, it’s a collective one. 

FUEL PRICES DOGGING US

Cash-strapped motorists are being hit by massive price hikes for petrol, with the latest analysis by NRMA proving what we were seeing at the bowser – that South East Queenslanders were indeed paying more than nearly everyone else.

Former premier Steven Miles’ harebrained proposal for state-owned petrol stations as a means to reduce prices was certainly a step too far, but an inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has merit.

The ACCC would be able to look more deeply into an RACQ proposal to cap daily price hikes alongside other potential solutions.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg has rightfully noted petrol price cycles are complex and impacted by myriad factors. So who else would be better placed to undertake a nuanced inquiry than our nation’s consumer watchdog?

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has so far offered no indication he would trigger an ACCC inquiry, but with an election looming and cost-of-living front of mind, a consideration of the proposal wouldn’t go astray.

And as 2024 winds to a close, we’d like to wish our loyal readers a safe and healthy Happy New Year. May our experiences at the bowser be less painful in 2025.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here