Plea to make safer choices on our roads
Road Safety Week
This Queensland Road Safety Week, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is urging the community to make safer choices on our roads and drive down the alarming number of traffic crashes that result in catastrophic injury and death.
Data from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) shows the number of people left with road crash injuries is increasing, with 3,526 injury claims this year, 262 of those with serious injury, compared with 3,214 the year prior, of which 236 were serious injuries.
Road safety is a shared responsibility and this Queensland Road Safety Week, police want everyone to consider the consequences of their actions – and drive as if theirs, and other people’s lives, depend on it.
Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells of QPS’s Road Policing and Regional Support Command, said the Fatal Five of speeding, drink driving, failing to wear seatbelts and driving while tired or distracted are all major contributors to crashes and are all avoidable.
“These crashes have a devastating impact on not only the people involved, but also their loved ones,” Chief Superintendent Channells said.
“If a person survives the crash, they may still be left-with life-altering injuries.
“It only takes one moment to nod off at the wheel or check your mobile phone and that momentary lack of attention can change lives forever.”
National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ) General Manager Gaenor Walker highlighted that data from MAIC showed a worrying trend of rising serious injury claims in 2025.
“Already this year, we’ve seen a concerning nine per cent increase in CTP scheme injury claims compared with the same period in 2024,” Ms Walker said.
“NIISQ also receives more than 100 of the most serious injury claims annually, providing lifetime care and support for people who sustain life-changing injuries in motor vehicle crashes. This year’s rise is alarming, particularly as we are seeing more cases involving vulnerable road users.
“Motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists are over-represented, with many sustaining traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage. Together, these vulnerable road users account for around one quarter of all NIISQ claims.”
Toowoomba crash survivor and NIISQ participant, Zach Nightingale, lost his right leg in a motorcycle crash eight years ago when he was only 21 years old.
“Coming around a corner I collided with a four-wheel-drive, and I was sent up and over into the middle of the road with my entire right leg sent about 10 metres away from me,’’ Nightingale said.
“My life changed in a split second… there’s been lots of ups and downs.
“I spent 100 days in hospital, I had to learn how to sit up again, walk again, I had to rebuild myself from the ground up.’’
This year, police are also focusing their attention on improving the safety of vulnerable road users, which include motorcycle riders, e-scooters, e-bike riders, cyclists and pedestrians.
“Check your surroundings including blind spots and indicate before changing lanes or turning to ensure vulnerable road users such as motorbike, e-bike and e-scooter riders and cyclists are not in the vicinity,’’ Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells said.
“All Queenslanders should consider themselves part of the same team and we need to look after each other when it comes to road safety.’’
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
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