Queensland has recorded over 200 road fatalities so far in 2025, placing the state on track for its highest annual toll since 2009.
According to figures from the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), a fatality has occurred on Queensland roads approximately every 29 hours this year. This trend has reversed the pre-pandemic decline in road deaths that had been observed in previous years.
RACQ general manager of advocacy, Josh Cooney, identified speeding as the primary factor in these incidents.
“Right now, one person dies on our roads almost every day, and speeding remains the leading factor in fatal crashes, contributing to an average of 79 deaths every year,” he said.
He called for a range of measures, including increased police patrols, expanded use of point-to-point cameras, and stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
The RACQ’s 2025 Annual Road Safety Survey found that more than three-quarters of Queensland drivers admitted to speeding, with young men aged 18 to 24 among the most likely to exceed the speed limit. Nearly a third of this group believed it was safe to drive more than 11km/h over the posted limit.
Cooney noted that complacency and a belief in avoiding detection were contributing factors, with 65% of drivers citing inattention and nearly half believing they would not be caught.
RACQ has launched the “Get Serious on Road Safety” campaign to address these issues, advocating for reforms to reduce fatalities and change driver attitudes.
“To reverse this trend, awareness isn’t enough – we need action. That’s why RACQ launched our ‘Get Serious on Road Safety’ campaign this year, and we will continue to advocate for meaningful action until Queensland’s road safety crisis is addressed,” Cooney said.
In South Australia, the number of rear-end crashes rises sharply during spring, according to data analysed by the Royal Automobile Association (RAA).
Between 2019 and 2023, spring saw more car crashes than any other season, with 84 rear-end collisions resulting in serious injury or death – a 33% increase compared to other times of the year.
RAA senior manager road safety Charles Mountain said that changing weather and increased road use during spring may play a role.
“Spring is a bit of an unpredictable season when it comes to weather and varying conditions that can affect drivers’ visibility,” he said.
He observed that rear-end collisions were most frequent during afternoon and morning peak periods, when traffic congestion and driver impatience are common.
Mountain advised drivers to maintain a safe following distance, particularly during peak hours, and to be mindful of other road users, including cyclists and motorcyclists. He also recommended practical steps such as keeping windscreens clean and using sun visors to reduce glare.
Wildlife-related vehicle accidents also continue to be a significant source of claims for Australian insurers, particularly in regional and rural areas.
Suncorp Group’s AAMI brand processed nearly 24,000 animal collision claims between July 2024 and June 2025. Kangaroos were the most frequently involved species, but incidents with wallabies, wombats, deer, dogs, and livestock were also common.
Victoria recorded the highest number of wildlife collisions, followed by New South Wales. Regional centres such as Dubbo, Sunbury, and Broken Hill were identified as hotspots.
Dusk was highlighted as the most dangerous time for wildlife collisions, due to increased animal movement and reduced visibility.
Other insurers have reported similar trends. RAC Insurance in Western Australia handled more than 2,600 animal collision claims in the first half of 2025, following a 10% increase in 2024.
RAA Insurance in South Australia received over 2,100 kangaroo-related claims in the past year, a 44% rise compared to two years earlier. While most incidents occurred on regional roads, suburban areas are also seeing more frequent wildlife collisions.
