A fatal crash in Logan on Christmas Day pushed the state’s road death toll to the highest in a decade.
The previous record was set in 2022, with 297 deaths during the year.
On Christmas Day just two weeks ago, an 83-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after a collision on the Mount Lindesay Highway at Cedar Grove.
His death the following day marked the 22nd life lost on Logan roads during 2024, and broke the 2022 record.
Just weeks before that, a 63-year-old motorcyclist from Slacks Creek was killed in a collision with a flatbed truck in Underwood, and a 60-year-old Beenleigh motorcyclist died in a hit-and-run in west Logan.
In total in 2024, 302 people died on Queensland roads – the highest in 15 years.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the unfortunate milestone was a stark reminder that police alone cannot reduce the state’s road toll.
“No words can describe the trauma experienced by families, friends and communities who have lost loved ones in road crashes, and my heart goes out to all those in mourning, particularly so close to Christmas,” Mr Purdie said.
“The sad reality is that most of these crashes involved at least one of the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours – speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while fatigue and driver distraction and inattention.”
He said everyone needed to do their part to ensure safety on roads.
“Christmas and the New Year should be remembered as a time of happiness and joy,” Mr Purdie said.
“They should not be remembered as a time when the selfishness or inattention of others drove a fatal wedge through the hearts of so many families.”
Before Christmas, the manager of PCYC’s road safety program Braking the Cycle, Seevali Ratnakara, told MyCity Logan that these tragedies underscored the importance of addressing the Fatal Five.
“Road deaths are always a tragedy, and there are various reasons they occur,” Ms Ratnakara said.
“Speeding, driving under the influence, failure to wear seatbelts, fatigue, and distractions are all leading causes of road trauma.
“Drivers should consider the community around them while out on the road.
“Avoiding those Fatal Five will see drivers staying safe on the roads this holiday season.”
