Queensland's deadly road toll surges as police issue urgent e-bike warning
Queensland's road toll has already surpassed last year's figures, with the worst hot spots for road deaths revealed. EVERY CRASH SINCE 2001 MAPPED, DETAILED
Queensland’s road toll for 2025 has already surpassed the same period in 2024, with senior police calling it “extremely disappointing” and asking for Queenslanders to drive safe these holidays.
These figures have emerged following last year‘s record number of fatalities since 2009, with 301 people dying across 2024.
Police data confirmed that from January to October 2025, the state’s toll added up to 254, eight deaths more than the same months for 2024.
EVERY CRASH SINCE 2001 MAPPED: Click on fatal, hospitalisation, medical treatment and minor injury to toggle between the four. Click on the dots to see details such as when, where and how the crash occurred.
One of the worst hot spots for road deaths has been the state’s North Coast region – including the Wide Bay Burnett district – which recorded 19 additional deaths over the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast and South Brisbane have each collected 10 more lives lost compared to the previous year.
QPS Road Policing Group Acting Superintendent Gareth Bosley said the numbers were extremely disappointing.
“It’s very easy for us to rationalise this as just numbers,” Acting Superintendent Bosley said.
“But these are people who will not be returning home to their families and loved ones for no other reason.
“They went out on a daily basis – like all of us do – and then succumb to road trauma.”
Acting Superintendent Bosley said there is an increased risk of deaths as the holiday period begins, with people travelling long distances to see loved ones.
“Not only do we have more people travelling, we also have a more relaxed environment…along with people who are in a hurry to get places,” Acting Superintendent Bosley said.
“We see this primed environment with multiple factors – fatigue, speed impairment – all of which combine to result in serious crashes and loss of life.”
Police data showed 13 deaths in 2025 involved e-mobility scooters and bikes.
Acting superintendent Bosley said the number of e-mobility crashes has been an extreme issue in Queensland in recent months
“The strongest message I can give to any parent, any loved one, is to seriously think about what you are gifting at Christmas,” he said.
The e-bike crisis has exploded in recent weeks, following several children who have passed away on Queensland roads.
Illegal motorbikes can be identified by seeing if they lack pedals, have throttles or whether they go over 25km/h.
CEO of Bicycle Queensland Matthew Burke said he felt the increase of cyclist deaths on the roads, including illegal e-bikes and scooters.
“Some of the conversion kits that are being sold to kids to attach to existing push bikes are so overpowered that they literally frighten me,” Dr Burke said.
“The deaths are what tend to get reported, but there is a large subset of road trauma here, so we’re seeing a lot of concussions and facial reconstructions.”
The most recent fatal e-scooter crash involved Darryl Collins who died on Wednesday after losing control and crashing on Russell Island’s Highland Ridge Rd, dying at the scene.
Queensland’s transport minister Brent Mickelberg has been contacted for comment on the data.
Originally published as Queensland's deadly road toll surges as police issue urgent e-bike warning
