Queensland Police Boost Efforts for Road Safety Week

Queensland Police Service (QPS) launched Operation Whiskey Rider to combat an increase in motorcyclist trauma, as road safety operations ramp-up statewide for Queensland Road Safety Week.

As of August 25, 188 lives have been lost on Queensland Roads, compared to 176 at the same time last year.

Despite making up only five per cent of road users, motorcyclists are significantly over-represented in crash fatalities.

Approximately 27 per cent of all Queensland road fatalities this year have been motorcyclists or pillion passengers, with 51 riders lives lost.

Already there have been more than 1,100 recorded injury crashes involving motorcyclists across Queensland this year and this figure continues to climb.

North Brisbane police in partnership the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and Griffith University launched Operation Whiskey Rider in July.

The operation aims to engage all road users, but focuses on motorcyclists, in an effort to understand how to encourage safe riding practices and reduce road trauma.

So far more than 4,050 road users have been engaged during the operation at Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious, which are popular areas for motorcycle riders.

Research from the operation will help inform future police practices aiming to enhance safety and reduce the number of lives lost on Queensland roads.

Police will conduct a series of engagement and enforcement operations during Queensland Road Safety Week, targeting the Fatal Five behaviours which contribute to road trauma - speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction, fatigue and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Driving under the influence of any intoxicating substance can affect your judgement, vision, co-ordination and reflexes - all of which increase your risk on the roads.

This Queensland Road Safety Week, which runs from August 26 to 30, police are working alongside partner agencies as 'one team' and encourage Queenslanders to do the same and drive safely so all road users make it home safe.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Janelle Andrews said that QPS has a number of operations and strategies targeting the 'Fatal Five' behaviours which contribute to trauma on our roads.

"In 2023, speeding contributed to more than 31 per cent of fatal traffic crashes.

"And we know distraction, drink and drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt and driving fatigued are also factors in the majority of fatal and serious injury crashes.

"Each of these 188 lives are more than just a number, it's a loved one who has been lost and family and friends who are forever impacted.

"Police have enforcement and engagement operations underway across the state this Queensland Road Safety Week, targeting the local issues which are contributing to road trauma.

"We are urging our communities to be 'One Team' and drive or ride with the wellbeing of all road users in mind, so every Queenslander makes it home safely to their families."

The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing number of lives lost on our roads. 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

Watch this video about the dangers of driving under the influence.