The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has expressed its “firm support” of the Queensland government’s decision to hold a road safety roundtable, amid numerous tragic accidents on the state’s roads last year.
According to RACQ head of public policy Dr Michael Kane, poor driver behaviour remains the leading cause of death on the state’s roads and everyone must act fast to address it.
“We have a road safety culture problem in Queensland,” Kane said. “It’s shocking that we, as a state, have allowed the road toll to reach highs that we haven’t seen in 13 years.
“Two hundred and ninety-nine (299) people lost their lives on Queensland roads last year, and the overwhelming majority of those deaths can be attributed to the Fatal Five – that’s speeding, driving fatigued, drink and drug driving, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt.”
Kane said the government must prioritise education and targeted enforcement to avoid deaths immediately. While longer term research is needed, there is a need for urgent and short-term actions to quickly lower the road death toll.
He added that the road safety roundtable must be backed by expert knowledge and take a holistic approach by involving a wide range of stakeholders, including those outside the transport sector.
“RACQ looks forward to being involved in the roundtable and providing our expertise as the state’s peak motoring body,” Kane said. “After such a devastating year, it’s so important that we all come together to discuss, design and implement solutions that will actually save lives on Queensland roads.”
