The Queensland Police Service (QPS) today unveiled a striking tribute to road crash victims to highlight the tragic loss of life on the state's roads this year, and to remind drivers of their responsibility to ensure everyone's safety on our roads.
Ahead of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims this Sunday, police filled Brisbane's King George Square with 259 life-sized cut-outs of adults and children, each representing a life lost on Queensland roads in 2024.
The Commissioner of Police, Steve Gollschewski APM, said the silhouettes illustrate the painful reality of the 259 individuals who lost their lives on Queensland roads.
"These 259 figures represent the lives lost on our roads this year - each a person with loved ones left behind," Commissioner Gollschewski said.
"Road deaths remind us that driving involves constant choices; to stay attentive, drive safely, and avoid risky behaviours like speeding, phone use or impaired driving."
QPS Road Policing and Regional Support Command Acting Assistant Commissioner, Janelle Andrews, said the QPS is taking action to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on Queensland roads.
"Our research indicates this year's national and state lives lost figure could be the most devastating on record," Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrews said.
"The QPS is taking a tactical and targeted approach, with increased high-visibility police patrols across the state.
"From the outback to the beaches, and from Coolangatta to Cape York, we will have police patrolling our roads - you could see them anywhere, anytime," Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrews said.
"We'll be out there monitoring for the fatal five: speeding, impairment, distraction, failing to wear a seatbelt, and fatigue."
In addition to the lives lost on Queensland roads, more than 6,000 people have been seriously injured this year or are facing long-term trauma and hardship.
The QPS will continue to work with road safety partners to raise awareness, improve road safety, and advocate for driver behaviours that keep Queensland roads safe.
To learn more about road safety and QPS's initiatives to help make Queensland's roads safer, visit: www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/road-safety
Lives lost on Queensland roads as at 24:00, November 14, 2024
| Police Region | Police District | Lives lost |
| Far Northern | Far North | 23 |
| Northern | Mount Isa | 3 |
| Northern | Townsville | 14 |
| Central | Capricornia | 22 |
| Central | Mackay | 20 |
| North Coast | Moreton | 17 |
| North Coast | Sunshine Coast | 13 |
| North Coast | Wide Bay Burnett | 23 |
| Southern | Darling Downs | 27 |
| Southern | Ipswich | 14 |
| Southern | South West | 10 |
| South Eastern | Gold Coast | 15 |
| South Eastern | Logan | 18 |
| Brisbane | North Brisbane | 20 |
| Brisbane | South Brisbane | 20 |
| State total | 259 |
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
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
