- The Crisafulli Government and Queensland Police Service launch annual state-wide road safety operation ahead of busy Christmas and New Year period.
- Operation Mistletoe will see an increased number of police patrolling Queensland roads, cracking down on the Fatal 5.
- 289 lives already lost on Queensland roads in 2025.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering more police to the frontline to make Queensland safer.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer after launching Operation Mistletoe alongside the Queensland Police Service – an annual state-wide road safety operation - ahead of the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Motorists are being urged to make safe choices this festive season, with 289 lives tragically already lost on Queensland roads in 2025.
Operation X-Ray Mistletoe – a high-visibility police operation to reduce road fatalities – begins this Saturday, December 13 and will run across the entire holiday period with a targeted crackdown on speeding and impaired driving, including drink and drug driving on both roads and waterways.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering more police to the frontline to restore safety where you live and make Queensland safer, and in just 12 months, has bolstered frontline police numbers by 472 officers, compared with just 174 under Labor in four years.
Police will conduct thousands of roadside and on-water drug and alcohol tests throughout the operation, supported by specialist officers, mobile patrols and targeted enforcement activities across high-risk locations.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie urged Queensland motorists to make smart choices and follow road rules especially during the busy Christmas period.
"Tragically, 289 lives have already been lost on Queensland roads this year – that's 289 families whose lives have been torn apart and forever changed with every holiday now a constant reminder of their loss," Minister Purdie said.
"We are delivering more police to the frontline to restore safety where you live and make Queensland safer.
"As we approach the busy Christmas and New Year period, the Crisafulli Government is urging motorists to make smart choices and follow Queensland's road rules.
"And if you don't follow the rules - our police will be out in force, as part of Operation Mistletoe, with a targeted crackdown on speeding and impaired driving.
"We will not tolerate drivers who disregard the Fatal 5 and put the lives of other road users at risk."
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg urged Queenslanders to stay alert and to never drive under the influence.
"As Queenslanders hit the road to visit friends and family this Christmas – from our busiest highways to back roads and suburban streets – we're urging everyone to do the right thing and stay safe," Minister Mickelberg said.
"No matter how far you're travelling or how confident you think you are, we don't want anyone risking their lives, or the lives of other road users."
Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said 289 families were without a loved one this Christmas as he urged Queenslanders to take responsibility for the choices they make every time they get behind the wheel or take to the water.
"These are not just numbers – these represent a parent, child, partner, mate," Commissioner Gollschewski said.
"Whether you're heading to a Christmas party, driving to a holiday destination or out on the water, expect to see police. If you choose to speed, drink or drug drive, or take risks, you will be caught.
"This holiday season, make the choices that save lives.
"We want every Queenslander to arrive home safely."
Road Policing and Regional Support Commands' Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Guild reiterated that police want everyone to make it home safely – not just this holiday period but every day.
"We know that most Queenslanders do the right thing, and I thank those road users who make responsible choices," Acting Assistant Commissioner Guild said.
"But for those putting themselves, and other road users, at risk – police will be ready to respond the moment you make that choice."
To learn more about road safety and QPS' initiatives to help make Queensland safer, visit: www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/road-safety
