Queensland Police Urge Road Safety

In a bid to curb the rising number of catastrophic injuries from road accidents, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is intensifying its road safety campaign during Queensland Road Safety Week. Authorities are calling on drivers to adopt safer behaviors to prevent traffic incidents that lead to serious injuries and fatalities.

Recent data from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) reveals a troubling increase in road crash injuries. This year alone, 3,526 injury claims have been filed, with 262 of those classified as serious. This marks a rise from last year’s figures, which saw 3,214 claims and 236 serious injuries. The QPS emphasizes that road safety is a collective responsibility and urges drivers to consider the potentially life-altering consequences of their actions.

Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells of the QPS’s Road Policing and Regional Support Command identified the ‘Fatal Five’—speeding, drink driving, not wearing seatbelts, and driving while tired or distracted—as major, yet avoidable, contributors to road crashes. Channells stressed the devastating impact these accidents have on individuals and their families, noting that even survivors often face life-changing injuries.

The National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ), also expressed concerns over the rising number of serious injury claims, particularly among vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists. NIISQ General Manager Gaenor Walker reported a nine percent increase in Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme injury claims this year compared to 2024, with vulnerable users disproportionately affected.

Toowoomba crash survivor Zach Nightingale shared his personal story of losing a leg in a motorcycle accident at the age of 21, highlighting the potential severity of road accidents. His testimony serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for all road users to be vigilant and considerate.

As part of their ongoing efforts, Queensland police are focusing on improving the safety of vulnerable road users, urging drivers to be mindful of their surroundings and to check for blind spots before making maneuvers. “All Queenslanders should consider themselves part of the same team,” Channells stated, emphasizing the shared responsibility of ensuring road safety.