Billy Slater urges Queenslanders to drive as ‘One Team’ for Queensland Road Safety Week

• The Miles Government has joined with rugby league great and Maroons coach Billy Slater to encourage everyone to drive like 'One Team' this Queensland Road Safety Week (QRSW) and beyond.
• Running from 26 to 30 August, this year marks the 10th annual QRSW, a joint initiative between the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to promote road safety around the state.
• 185 lives have been lost on Queensland roads this year which is significantly above the five-year average.

The Miles Government has joined with rugby league great and Maroons coach Billy Slater to encourage everyone to drive like 'One Team' this Queensland Road Safety Week (QRSW) and beyond.

Running from 26 to 30 August, QRSW aims to raise the profile of road safety within communities across the state, culminating in the launch of road safety initiatives, campaigns and enforcement activity.

Sadly, 185 people have lost their lives on Queensland roads so far this year, 18 above the 5-year average.

This year's QRSW theme, 'We're One Team Queensland. Let's drive like it' has already engaged hundreds of people, with over two hundred people submitting their headshots to join in the biggest team photo with Billy Slater, demonstrating a united front and advocating for road safety across the state.

The team photo will appear on billboards in key locations around the state, including in Brisbane, Townsville and Mackay, with everyday Queenslanders joining the call to drive with safety front of mind.

Building on the ‘One Team Queensland’ theme, community road safety advocates including individuals, sports clubs, schools, and community groups across the state, will be working with TMR and the QPS to host events, activities and initiatives to help keep the community safe on our roads. Queensland landmarks will also be lit yellow to shine a light on road safety throughout the event.

Speeding on our roads is one of the risky behaviours in focus during QRSW. As one of the 'Fatal Five' behaviours, speeding is one of the major killers on Queensland roads, with an average of 74 people losing their lives and 409 seriously injured in speed-related crashes each year.

The Miles Government has also launched a new, hard-hitting campaign, ‘No excuse for speeding’, which demonstrates the very real dangers of speeding against the frivolous excuses given for this reckless behaviour.

The campaign shows the realistic consequences of speeding, including that one in three of those killed in a speed-related crash are not the driver.

Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:

"The Miles Government is committed to the safety of everyone travelling on our vast road network.

“Queensland Road Safety Week, from 26 to 30 August, is an important time to consider the role we all play in making our roads safer.

"Last year, 277 people lost their lives on Queensland roads. I find this horrifying and I ask everyone to think about this every time they get behind the wheel this Queensland Road Safety Week, and beyond.

“Queenslanders can get involved in Queensland Road Safety Week by hosting or participating in an event, wearing ‘yellow’ to show their support, and sharing road safety messages on social media.

“Thank you to Billy Slater for using his platform to encourage us all to be safer on the roads and to drive as 'One Team'. I can think of no one better to unite Queenslanders under this important message.

"Thanks also to our road safety advocates, to the first responders and those at the frontline who work tirelessly to keep us all safe on the roads and reduce the significant burden of road trauma on our communities.

“As you travel around the state, look out for these iconic billboards featuring everyday Queenslanders who have made the commitment to drive as 'One Team'.

“Whether you’re a cyclist, motorist, or pedestrian, we are all responsible for keeping ourselves, and others, safe on Queensland roads.

“Let’s work together to keep our streets safe and drive down the number of lives impacted by crashes on our roads each year.”

“Remember, we're One Team, Queensland. Let's drive like it.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Rugby League great and Maroons Coach, Billy Slater

"I'm proud to be part of this campaign calling on all Queenslanders to drive like one team on the roads.

"The number of Queenslanders dying on our roads each year is heartbreaking, and they're not just numbers; they're sons, aunties, colleagues, friends and team mates.

"Just like being part of a football team - our roads will be a safer place if we all drive with team values in mind - trust, communication, collaboration and counting every safe arrival home as a win.

"There is no place for complacency on the field or on our roads. In the same way that I lead our Maroons in the State of Origin, I hope I can impact all Queenslanders to be better and safer road users."

Queensland Road Safety Week Fast Facts

• Queensland Road Safety Week runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 August 2024
• This year is the tenth anniversary of Queensland Road Safety Week
• Building on TMR's engagement of Maroons coach Billy Slater, this year’s theme is ‘We’re One Team Queensland. Let’s drive like it.’
• Billy Slater encourages Queenslanders to work together to tackle the ‘Fatal Five’. The Fatal Five – speeding, drink driving, failing to wear seatbelts and driving while tired or distracted – are all major contributors to lives lost on our roads and are all avoidable.
• From 1 to 19 July 2024, Queenslanders were invited to upload their photo to join the biggest team photo with Billy Slater in support of road safety
• 208 Queenslanders joined the ‘One Team Queensland’ team photo initiative
• The ‘One Team Queensland’ billboards are located at:

• Bundall Rd, Bundall

• • Terminal Drive, Gold Coast Airport
  • Cnr Sydney & Victoria Street, Mackay
  • Cnr Sturt & Stokes St, Townsville (special edition Cowboys billboard)
  • Cnr Ruthven & Margaret St, Toowoomba
  • Maryborough St, Bundaberg
  • Fitzroy St, Rockhampton
  • Bruce Highway, Allenstown
  • Woolcock St, Garbutt
  • Cnr Abbott St and Spence St, Cairns
  • Flinders St, Townsville
  • Hope Island Rd, Hope Island
  • Bruce Highway, Beerburrum
  • Sunshine Motorway, Maroochydore
  • Bruce Highway, North Mackay
  • Ray Jones Rd, Portsmith
  • Ruthven St, Kearneys Springs
  • Bruce Highway (Yamba Rd), Rockhampton North
  • Cnr Ruthven St & Chalk Dr, Toowoomba
  • Pacific Mwy – Nineteenth Ave Overpass, Tugun
  • Pacific Mwy – Stewarts Rd Overpass, Tugun
  • Pacific Mwy – Tora St Overpass, Inbound and Outbound, Upper Mt Gravatt
  • Gateway Mwy Nth – Bracken Ridge

‘No excuse for speeding’ campaign

• Speeding is one of the major killers on Queensland roads, along with fatigue, lack of seatbelts, distraction, and drink and drug driving.
• On average 74 people are killed and 409 seriously injured each year on Queensland roads as a result of speed-related crashes. Many of those hospitalised will suffer from the effects of their injuries for the rest of their lives.
• One in three people killed or injured in crashes involving speed are not the driver of the vehicle.
• Around half of all serious speeding crashes happen at less than 10km/h above the speed limit.
• Just over 5km/h above the speed limit in urban areas (and 10km/h above in rural areas) is enough to double the risk of a casualty crash.
• 50% of Queensland drivers admit to speeding on more than half of their road trips.
• Discover this campaign on the StreetSmarts website.

ENDS

Media contact – Minister Mellish office – 0419 288 284