Wide Bay Burnett district police have established Operation Xray Precession, focused on stopping the growing number of lives lost on the road in 2025.
Tragically, 22 lives have been lost through 17 crashes on Wide Bay Burnett district roads so far this year, which is more than any other district in Queensland.
This represents a 60 percent increase in lives lost compared to the same period last year.
In some locations in the wider Bundaberg area, the risk of being involved in an injury traffic crash has increased by 220 per cent in 2025.
Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said this trajectory has to stop.
"Every life lost is one too many, and these fatalities have shaped our increased presence on the roads," Acting Superintendent Inskip said.
"We have a zero-tolerance approach towards unsafe driving, but this operation is not about issuing tickets and locking people up. This is about educating the community and saving lives.
"In addition to enforcement activities, with the assistance of the Road Policing Group, the operation will really focus on community engagement and having real conversations with drivers.
"Every police officer in our community has witnessed road trauma, which leaves a lasting impact, and I'll be encouraging officers to share their stories and experiences with drivers across the district.
"So far this year, Wide Bay Burnett police have directly engaged with more than 240,000 drivers to have conversations about staying safe on our roads.
"This number doesn't include conversations had with passengers or any road safety engagements had in the course of other duties.
"We have mapped the fatal crashes on our roads and continue to see high risk behaviours including speed, distraction, drink or drug driving, driving tired and seatbelts - all of which are proven contributors to serious and fatal crashes.
"We will continue doing everything we can to stop road trauma, but road safety is everyone's responsibility and every decision made on the road has the power to save or take a life.
"Every crash and every life lost impacts the family, friends, co-workers and school mates of those involved, in addition to the attending emergency services personnel, witnesses and the wider community.
"Throughout this operation we will be looking to recruit as many road users as we can – drivers, riders, passengers, and pedestrians – who will stand with us in making our roads safer.
"Particularly as we look towards the busy school holiday period, drivers are reminded to drive to the local conditions, stop, rest and arrive alive.
"Police are committed to reducing the trauma on our roads, but we can't do that without your help.
"By working together with the community, we can all play a part in making our roads safer for everyone."
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
