THE Queensland Police Service is urging motorists to take greater care on the roads following a tragic week, with five lives lost in six days.
These lives lost are a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that road trauma has on individuals, families and communities across the state.
Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, continue to represent a disproportionate number of lives lost on Queensland roads, with a large number of these crashes also happening in regional Queensland.
Tragically, since the beginning of the year, 21 people from these vulnerable road-user groups have lost their lives, contributing to the 44 lives already lost on Queensland roads this year.
That means 13 motorcyclists, three cyclists, and five pedestrians won’t make it home to their families.
Chief Superintendent of Road Policing Group Mark Wheeler said police all too often see the devastating aftermath of dangerous behaviours on our roads, with reckless decisions leading to irreversible consequences.
“First responders feel this loss deeply, and it is a driving motivator as to why we work so tirelessly to prevent these tragedies from happening,” Mr Wheeler said.
“Dangerous behaviours displayed on our roads, such as speeding, distracted and impaired driving, driving tired and not wearing a seatbelt. are leading to serious injury and death.
“While QPS continues to enforce road safety and target high risk behaviours, all Queenslanders need to play their part,” Mr Wheeler said.
