National Road Safety Week has commenced – and the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has called on motorists to be careful when driving.
The insurer revealed that around 1,200 people are killed on roads across Australia annually. In Queensland, 297 people lost their lives on the state's roads in 2022, making it the state's worst road toll in over a decade.
“As we mark the beginning of National Road Safety Week, we remember the lives lost on our roads and think of all the families and friends who are living everyday with this tragic heartbreak,” said RACQ road safety and technical manager Joel Tucker. “When we look at what's causing so many of these crashes, it is still the fatal five – speeding, drink and drug driving, driving fatigued, not wearing a seatbelt, and distracted. “This shows us that our road environments are not forgiving enough for people to engage in activities that increase their risk of crashing, or to make mistakes, or wrong decisions.
“We need to remember those who didn't survive their last trip on the roads, and [we need to] make a commitment to getting back to the basics – sticking to the road rules and doing whatever we can to make road safety our priority.”
The latest Transport and Main Roads data revealed that in 2022:
RACQ encouraged Australians to take the pledge to drive so others survive.
“This week, we want motorists to make a promise to always drive as though your loved ones are on the road ahead to remove all distractions and put down your mobile phone,” Tucker said. “Promise to put your seatbelt on properly and not to put yourself or others at risk by speeding, driving while tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“These are all very simple things that we can do to make the roads a lot safer and bring down the horrific road toll. Road safety is in our hands, and it starts with you.”
