Police will saturate our roads after spike in fatal crashes leading in to winter school holidays

In the weeks after five people have been killed on Toowoomba region roads, police are reporting they’re clocking drivers travelling at death-wish speeds more than ever.

Toowoomba Highway Patrol Officer-in-Charge Kim Hill said she was concerned about a spike in the number of high speed detections. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Traffic police are fed up with drivers gambling with their own lives and the lives of others after a spike in high speed detection in the Darling Downs.

In March police recorded 14 drivers doing more than 40km/h over the posted speed limit on our roads.

“I have never seen that many detections in one month,” Toowoomba Highway Patrol Officer-in-Charge Kim Hill said.

One case involved a 19-year-old driver who was booked twice in two days, doing 182km/h and 150km/h on the Warrego Highway at Cottonvale.

Senior Sergeant Kim Hill said at those speeds, even simple mistakes could have fatal consequences.

“We are getting some ridiculous speeds,” she said.

“The human body is not designed to withstand the consequences of high-impact crashes, or a sudden stop from these kinds of speeds.

“Even with all the safety features in modern vehicles, we are still just skin and bone.”

Earlier in June police caught a 60-year-old driver doing 115km/h in a 70km/h on the Toowoomba Connection Road at Redwood, who later tested positive for drugged driving.

There have also been two detections of 151km/h and 123km/h on the Brett Forte Bridge at Harlaxton in what is an 80km/h zone.

“We just got to be smarter about looking after ourselves, and be kind to each on the road,” Sgt Hills said

“I am seeing a whole series of stupid out there.”

The figures come as police prepare to saturate our roads through the winter school holidays.

While there is traditionally a spike in serious and fatal crashes during the June-July, this year police will be on heightened alert.

2024 is on track to be one of deadliest years on record with more than 132 people killed in traffic crashes across Queensland.

This is 16 more than at the time last year.

For the Darling Downs, we are four up from 2023.

Sgt Hill called on drivers to pay closer attention to hazards on the roads, to look for stray animals, foolish drivers, damaged roadways and poor weather.

“We want drivers to think about what they are doing to recognise a possible hazard on the road and respond before the worst happens,” she said.

“There is often a lot going through our heads when we are driving, like ‘what’s for dinner? Do I have to pick up the kids? What do I need to get from the shop.’

“But we should be focused on the road – scanning for animals, pots holes, wet roads – to recognise the difference between a potential hazard and something you need to take action around

“If you recognise the hazard early you can make those decisions to adjust your behaviour.”