Road toll on track to hit record low

Queensland is on track to have the lowest road toll on record thanks to the LNP Newman Government’s Road Safety Action plan, police enforcement and the vigilance of drivers.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said as the year is coming to an end, all road users were encouraged to continue their vigilance and make 2014 the safest year on our roads.

“Today, the 2014 road toll stands at 223, which is 48 less than last year’s road toll,” Mr Emerson said.

“Until this year, our lowest record benchmark was in 2010. However we are 26 below that toll currently and while any death on our road is a tragedy, all Queenslanders should be congratulated for their patience, attention, caution and observing the fatal five.

“Looking back through history it is a sobering fact that the highest road toll was 638 in 1973 and while the state’s population has more than doubled since then, the road toll has more than halved.”

Mr Emerson said while the state was finishing the year with a record low road toll, Queenslanders were being urged to remain vigilant on the roads as the summer holidays continue into 2015.

“The LNP Government is a strong team with a strong plan to make our roads safer for all Queenslanders and that is why we have delivered a $350 million Road Safety Action Plan,” he said.

“As part of this, we have been actively encouraging the community to understand the dangers of the fatal five when driving on our roads: speeding, drink and drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt and driving while fatigued or distracted.

“The community has been able to get on board with road safety in one way or another through our Join the Drive campaign which is a fresh, modern approach to our frontline campaigns shying away from images of gore and broken bones that are no longer working.

“We have also been educating Queenslanders to share the road as part of our Thanks Queensland campaign.”

These measures, in conjunction with the positive attitudes of Queenslanders being more aware of their actions on the road, have all helped contribute to the encouraging reduction in the road toll.

[ENDS] 30 December 2014

Media contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625