The Queensland Police Service (QPS) have 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 on Sunday 17 November, 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 6000 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: police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/road-safety
