Western Downs flooding 2025: Thirteen drivers punished for driving through flood water

Western Downs police have issued 13 infringement notices in one day for drivers who ignored signs and drove through flood water. Find out more.

Western Downs police say are they are frustrated at motorists who have been ignoring road closed signs and driving through floodwaters.

This comes one day after a motorbike rider was caught on camera being swept off his bike trying to drive through flood waters in Dalby.

Rainfall figures from December 31 showed Dalby, Jandowae and Kaimkillenbun copped a 75.2mm deluge, while Miles received 26.2mm.

The downpour was part of major slow-moving supercell which hit the state with over 150mm impacting South Burnett.

Dalby floods 31/12/24

Western Downs police say they issued 13 traffic infringement notices to motorist disobeying road closed signs on December 31 alone.

In a press release, Southern Police region Inspector David Campbell said officers were concerned by the behaviour which put drivers, passengers and rescue crews at risk.

“Generally, the people you have in your vehicle are family, friends or loved ones so drivers are putting the people who matter most to them in danger to cross flooded roads,” he said.

“Drivers are making conscious decisions to deliberately ignore these signs put there to prevent them from driving into floodwaters.”

Inspector Campbell said drivers were even going as far as to remove signs to access roads.

“In one instance, a sign was physically moved off the roadway to gain access, which then puts other motorists at risk,” he said.

“Signs are only removed by authorities when the road is safe to use and not before.

“The road closed signs are there to keep everyone safe and save lives.

“We do not want people to lose their lives by taking unnecessary risks.

“If it is flooded, forget it and heed the road closed warning signs.”