Time to 'Get Serious' on road toll

New data from the RACQ has shown the devastating social cost of road crashes on Moreton Bay’s roads.

In Queensland Road Safety Week, RACQ has released a Fatal and Serious Crash Dashboard using crash figures from 2019-2023.

RACQ has also launched its Get Serious on Road Safety Campaign calling on decision-makers and drivers to get serious on the issue.

Using data from those five years, the Queensland dashboard estimates the social cost of 31,742 crashes where people were killed or seriously injured to be $35.7 billion.

Of that, Moreton Bay region’s social cost – adding figures from each of the region’s 10 state electorates - came in at $3.17 billion.

Costs were calculated by applying TMR’s 2023 Willingness to Pay figures to each fatal and serious crash in Queensland over the time period.

These included medical expenses, vehicle/infrastructure damage, insurance, lost productivity and the emotional toll of pain and suffering.

Nanango was top of Queensland’s 92 State electorates with a social cost of $1.169 billion from 66 fatalities and 866 people hospitalised.

Glass House led the Moreton Bay list – but was 18^th in the State - with a social cost of $543 million from 24 fatalities and 564 hospitalised.

Morayfield - Social cost of $402 million, 17 fatalities, 432 hospitalised, 32^nd overall

Pine Rivers – Social cost 383 million, 15 fatalities, 361 hospitalised, 33^rd overall

Bancroft – Social cost $373 million, 10 fatalities, 456 hospitalised, 34^th overall

Pumicestone – Social cost $368 million, 15 fatalities, 341 hospitalised, 35^th overall

Murrumba – Social cost $272 million, 8 fatalities, 314 hospitalised, 60^th overall

Kurwongbah – Social cost $255 million, 5 fatalities, 330 hospitalised, 68^th overall

Redcliffe – Social cost $211 million, 3 fatalities, 309 hospitalised, 80^th overall

Everton – Social cost $190 million, 4 fatalities, 259 hospitalised, 84^th overall

Ferny Grove – Social cost $171 million, 4 fatalities, 210 hospitalised, 87^th overall

RACQ Managing Director and Group CEO David Carter said on average 79 people die each year in crashes involving a speeding driver, while 57 fatal crashes involved a drink driver and 59 a drug driver.

“RACQ analysis also revealed the 4000 drivers charged with dangerous driving over the past four years had already racked up more than 95,000 traffic offences - that’s an average of 23 offences each," he said.

“It’s clear we have a cultural crisis on our roads; it’s time to get serious on road safety and crack down on dangerous drivers to save lives.

‘We must see a significant boost in roadside drug and alcohol testing, supported by investment in rehabilitation to curb this alarming culture.

“Expanded vehicle impoundment powers to remove extreme offenders from their vehicles are also needed to deal with those who repeatedly and recklessly put lives at risk.”

RACQ is urging the rollout of more point-to-point speed cameras on high-risk roads and a greater on-road police presence to stop reckless driving.

The Club and its partners also want a trusted vehicle security rating system to help tackle vehicle crime and stop stolen cars being deadly weapons.

Fellow of RACS Dr David Lockwood said: “We can’t keep turning a blind eye. It is clear the current strategies are not working to curb the cultural crisis on Queensland’s roads.

“It’s time for both drivers and government to step up. This isn’t just about enforcement - it’s about saving lives.”

Visit RACQ’s Fatal and Serious Crash Dashboard at www.racq.com/getseriousonroadsafety