Road fatalities and injuries surge after north east fatal brings 2025 toll to seven

Seven lives have already been lost on Tasmanian roads for 2025, sparking a plea from a peak road safety body for motorists to be safe. How it compares to last year.

Fatal and serious crashes have surged for the start of 2025. Image: Detail with Selective Focus.

A fatal crash in the state’s north east this weekend takes Tasmania’s road toll to seven, compared to two deaths recorded at the same time in 2024.

Serious injuries have also increased, with 62 people injured so far this year compared to 49 at the same time in 2024.

Chair of Tasmania’s Road Safety Advisory Council Scott Tilyard is pleading with all road users to do the right thing and stay safe on the roads following the tragic start to the year.

Road Safety Advisory Council Chair, Scott Tilyard. Picture: Linda Higginson

“It’s devastating to see so many lives lost and families torn apart by road trauma,” Mr Tilyard said.

“Each death and serious injury on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones or are suffering the lifelong impacts of serious crashes.

“We cannot accept road deaths and injuries as inevitable — they are almost always preventable. Every road user has a role to play in making our roads safer.”

Mr Tilyard said this year’s trend was reminiscent of the horror year on our roads in 2022 with 51 lives lost.

At this time in 2022 four lives had been lost, fewer than the seven already lost this year.

Three of this year’s fatalities have been motorcyclists, compared to none during the same period in 2024.

Mr Tilyard said the fatal five continue to be major contributors to serious and fatal crashes.

“Despite significant investments in safer roads, driver training and education programs, we are still seeing too many road users engaging in high-risk behaviours,” he said.

“Tragedy can strike in an instant. We urge all motorists to make safe choices — not just for themselves, but for everyone on the road.”