Wide Bay marks grim record for road fatalities in Queensland since January 1

Queensland Police outline shock statistics for the region as the state records a horror year on the roads so far.

Wide Bay Burnett has had the worst increase in road fatalities, with 19 people losing their lives on the road in 2021.

It’s a grim record the Wide Bay Burnett district now holds, with the region having experienced the highest increase in road fatalities this year compared to every other police district in Queensland.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Police Service said 19 lives have been lost on roads in the district since January 1 which was twelve more lives lost than this time last year.

“These crashes have occurred in various locations across the district, including the highways and intersections of suburban streets,” she said.

While many of the Forensic Crash Unit investigations are ongoing regarding the recent fatalities in the Wide Bay, motorist behaviour and the Fatal Five; speeding, lack of seat belts, driver distraction, drink and drug driving and fatigue, were significant factors in many serious and fatal crashes.

The spokeswoman said QPS regularly conducted strategic road policing operations across the district including random breath tests and speed enforcement to try to prevent dangerous behaviour behind the wheel.

“Drivers should expect to see police anywhere, anytime when they are out on the roads,” the spokeswoman said.

“While police will continue to prevent and disrupt dangerous driver behaviour, road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“The decisions you make behind the wheel have direct consequences on your life and those around you.”

The announcement comes after police noted 100 people have died in traffic crashes in Queensland since January 1.