Queensland road toll could be the highest in a decade

Queensland’s road toll has already reached 335, the same number as last year’s total, and there are still 27 days left in December.

A 19-year-old male whose vehicle hit a pole in Mackay last month was pronounced dead on Sunday which took road fatalities for the year so far to 335.

Police Minister Judy Spence said at this rate the toll is likely to be the highest for a decade (the 1997 toll was 360).

“We already know 2007 will be the worst year on record for motorcycle deaths with 69 fatalities so far.

“I’m appealing to drivers to slow down, wear seat belts, don’t drink or drug drive, pay attention to the road rules, and don’t drive tired.

“If everyone does that we can save lives and end this year in the right way.

“We have introduced tough new measures - fixed speed cameras, random road side drug testing, Q cars, and car confiscation laws for people who repeatedly drink drive, drive unregistered, drive unlicensed, or drive illegally modified vehicles.

“We’re doing our best to send the message to motorists that if they do the wrong thing we’re there to pick them up.

“But at the end of the day it’s up to individual motorists to make sure they’re doing the right thing,” Ms Spence said.

So far in 2007:

• 69 motorcyclists have been killed, representing 21% or approximately one fifth of the road toll. 2007 will be the worst year on record for motorcyclist deaths in Queensland. Motorcyclists represent only 4% of registered vehicles but 21% of the road toll.
• Speed has been identified as a contributing circumstance to 90 road deaths, or 27% of the road toll.
• Alcohol has been identified as a contributing circumstance to 79 road deaths, or 24% of the road toll.
• 34 deaths (10% of the road toll) have been attributed to people not wearing seatbelts.
• 21% of road deaths (72) involve young people aged 17-24.

Queensland's highest recorded road toll (1973) = 638

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