The Queensland Police service is urging motorists to take greater care on our roads following a tragic week, with five lives lost in six days.
These lives lost are a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that road trauma has on individuals, families and communities across the state.
Our vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, continue to represent a disproportionate number of lives lost on Queensland roads, with a large number of these crashes also happening in regional Queensland.
Tragically, since the beginning of the year, 21 people from these vulnerable road user groups have lost their lives, contributing to the 44 lives already lost on Queensland roads this year.
That means 13 motorcyclists, three cyclists, and five pedestrians won't make it home to their families.
Chief Superintendent of Road Policing Group Mark Wheeler said police all too often see the devastating aftermath of dangerous behaviours on our roads, with reckless decisions leading to irreversible consequences.
"First responders feel this loss deeply, and it is a driving motivator as to why we work so tirelessly to prevent these tragedies from happening," Chief Superintendent Wheeler said.
"Dangerous behaviours displayed on our roads, such as speeding, distracted and impaired driving, driving tired and not wearing a seatbelt. are leading to serious injury and death."
While QPS continues to enforce road safety and target high risk behaviours, we need every Queenslander to play their part.
Factors including speeding, driving impaired, distraction, and fatigue have a direct consequence on your safety and those around you.
Remember every number is a person, every crash is a family forever changed, and every decision you make behind the wheel, matters.
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Every choice you make behind the wheel, matters. Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated. Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime.
Safer roads start with you.
