Qld’s road toll on track to be the worst in 15 years

Queensland’s road toll is set to reach a level not seen in 15 years, as the state’s top cop looks to free up frontline police for a nightmare Christmas.

Flowers at a fatal crash site in Noosa. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Queensland’s top cop has warned the state’s road toll could likely exceed 300 deaths for the first time in 15 years.

Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said in the coming months he was focused on trying to free up time for frontline police so they could spend more time on the roads, which would include high visibility policing, traffic intercepts and random drug and breath testing.

“So when we are talking about the road toll, going through 300 lives for the first time in a couple of decades, that is 300 lives gone forever,” Mr Gollschewski told The Courier-Mail.

“And there’s kids in this, these are families and loved ones and colleagues.

Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski. Picture: Liam Kidston

“And I know looking at the statistics, that we’ve been so pushed into an increasing reactive model with the increases in crime, with the increases with family and domestic violence, that our discretionary time is being eroded.

“I would argue that we need to get more discretionary time back to our police at the frontline so they can do more proactive policing.”

New data from RACQ provided to The Courier-Mail has revealed there have been 287 deaths on the road until November 11 - 21 more than the same time last year.

Motorcyclists are also dying at a disproportionate rate, accounting for an alarming 26 per cent of the growing road toll – a 24 per cent increase from the previous five-year average.

RACQ’s Annual Road Safety Survey found the fatal five continue to account for the majority of deaths – notably speeding, drink and drug driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

General Manager of Advocacy Joshua Cooney said the confronting reality is the road toll was likely to surpass 2022’s 13-year high.

A serious crash at Mt Coot-tha earlier this year. Picture: RMGNEWS

“In that year 297 people died on Queensland roads and we’re tracking towards exceeding that figure,” Mr Cooney said.

“Before Covid, the road toll was trending down and if it continued on that trajectory, road deaths would be closer to 200 but tragically we’ve gone backwards.

“Despite new cars getting safer with upgraded technology, far too many people are still dying on our roads. It’s unacceptable and the government must intervene and work to improve our road safety culture.”

The report revealed a shocking 77 per cent admitted to speeding, 41.4 per cent to driving tired, and 29 per cent to driving distracted.

Six per cent of respondents admitted to getting behind the wheel while affected by illicit drugs, a two per cent increase from last year.

According to the latest Transport and Main Roads weekly report on road fatalities the majority of deaths - 58 - occurred in the southern region, encompassing Ipswich, Toowoomba and west to Eromanga.

A crash site on a major road on the Sunshine Coast.

The north coast - the stretch from Moreton Bay to Bundaberg - had the second highest fatality rate with 57 deaths, followed closely behind by the central region and Brisbane.

Acting Chief Superintendent, Road Policing and Regional Support Command Garrath Channells said as Queenslanders approach the busy time of year, the state’s roads will see increased traffic.

“Unfortunately, this increased activity brings an increased risk,” he said.

“This festive season, we urge all Queenslanders to plan their journeys, allow extra time for travel, and be patient with one another.”

Gabrielle Doyle and Brendan Rigano

THE PAIN NEVER ENDS

What was meant to be a fairytale life for Gabrielle Doyle and her partner Brendan Rigano was cut short after a fatal crash on one of Queensland’s most notorious highways.

In January this year Mr Rigano, an experienced rider, was heading back to his Innisfail home on his motorcycle via the Bruce Highway when it is believed wet conditions caused him to lose control and crash.

His high-school sweetheart described the “awful” gut feeling that something wasn’t right after her partner did not arrive.

“I just remember screaming on the phone, I’m on the phone to his mum and we’re both screaming,” she said.

“You never get used to that feeling of them not being there.”

Originally published as Qld’s road toll on track to be the worst in 15 years