Stakeholders across the country are urging all Australians to provide a greater focus on road safety in 2025 following an increase in road deaths across the nation in 2024.
Western Australia and Queensland both worryingly set record-breaking marks for road fatalities across the calendar year, while NSW recorded the exact same number in 2024 as it did in 2023.
Queensland’s figure of 302 lives lost means last year was the worst for road trauma in the state in the past 15 years, while the 185 reported fatalities in Western Australia is the highest since 2016.
Victoria and Tasmania both achieved minor improvements in their road death tolls when compared to 2023, however Victoria still suffered 283 fatalities, while Tasmania registered 32.
NSW recorded 340 road fatalities – the worst of any state – which is the same number as 2023.
NSW Minister for Roads John Graham says these figures represent far more than numbers on a page, and that more needs to be done to continue to improve the safety of roads across the country.
“We should never become desensitised to the annual figure or accept that it should be as high as 340 (road deaths in NSW) as it has been for the last two years running,” Graham says.
“Every one of these 340 represents a family and network of loved ones and friends who will never be the same for having lost someone.
“If there is a bright spot in the data for 2024 it is the sharply higher trend of fatalities recorded in 2023 has not continued and we did not see another increase in total.”
Founding member of the Road Trauma Support Group NSW Tom Daher says he hopes increased accountability for all road users can drive the death toll numbers down in 2025.
“Road trauma leaves a lasting scar on families and communities,” Daher says. Losing my father, Tannous, to a preventable crash caused by a driver on drugs is a heartbreak that will stay with me forever.
“Over 1.5 million adults in NSW have been affected by road trauma, leaving emotional and psychological wounds that never fully heal.
“No one should have to bury a loved one because of an avoidable fatal crash. We hope 2025 will bring a significant reduction in the number of people killed and injured on our roads, but it will require all of us to commit to safer choices, stronger accountability and greater awareness of the lifelong impacts of road trauma.”
Data released by Transport for NSW and the Queensland state government has revealed the majority of lives lost in the states have been lost on regional roads.
The overrepresentation accounts for over 60 per cent of lives lost in Queensland, with the Southern region (Darling Downs, Ipswich and South-West Queensland) accounting for the highest number of fatalities.
234 of the 340 deaths suffered in NSW occurred in the state’s regions.
Further data released by the Queensland government found five major factors could be attributed to the state’s road tragedy, with 20 per cent speed, 16 per cent drink driving, 14 per cent fatigue, 19 per cent unrestrained and nine per cent distraction accounting for almost 80 per cent of the state’s fatalities.
“Whether it’s a small trip in your area or a lengthy road trip, there is still no excuse to speed, lose focus, not wear a seatbelt properly or drive when you’re affected by drugs or alcohol,” Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg says.
“It’s just not worth the risk.
“Not only do you risk causing a crash and killing or injuring yourself or someone else, but you also risk hefty penalties.”
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