4 days ago
Calls for major road rule 'rethink' as fines in Aussie state rise to $1,250
One of Australia's leading road safety bodies is calling on the Queensland government to "rethink" how we ensure "motorists who break the road rules are held accountable", on the first day the state's new increased road fines come into effect.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) Head of Public Policy, Dr Michael Kane, said drivers need to "feel they will get caught" if they decide to do the wrong thing and that the consequences will be "significant".
"Increasing fines over the past five years clearly hasn't worked to improve road safety," he told Yahoo News Australia. "The choice to deliberately break road rules and drive illegally is killing and seriously injuring too many people."
From Tuesday, July 1, the Queensland government fines rose by 3.5 per cent, with the standard penalty unit increased to $166.90.
It'll now mean anyone caught speeding up to 10 kilometres per hour over the speed limit will cop a $333 fine — a rise of $11 from last year, and anyone caught wearing their seatbelt incorrectly or using their phone behind the wheel will face a $1,250 infringement, up $42.
Those who disobey stop signs or fail to give way to a pedestrian will face a $500 fine, an increase of $17 from the last financial year. Drivers who are travelling more than 40km/h over the speed limit will cop a massive $1,918 fine, increasing by $65 from previous rates.
The increase in fines and forfeitures is anticipated to generate $850 million in the 2025-26 budget. Last year's budget had flagged revenue of $794m in the 2024-25 financial year, increasing from the $741m the year before. The annual increase in the state is tied to a default rate of 3.5 per cent to ensure penalties maintain their deterrent effect over time.
By law, the government can only raise fines by the default rate unless Treasurer David Janetzki approves a different increase by the end of March, which didn't happen this year. The rate is built into legislation to provide a consistent and predictable framework for fine adjustments without requiring frequent government intervention.
Queensland recorded a grisly, 15-year high road toll in 2024 of 303 deaths.
Kane said the government must do more to combat the crisis. "RACQ put forward a suite of recommended reforms to the State Government to urgently reverse the number of people dying and rein in speeding," he said.
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"The Club is calling for an increase in highly visible on-road police and more point-to-point speed cameras in high-crash zones.
"RACQ is also advocating for the expansion of existing impoundment laws to target the state's most dangerous drivers by including a broader range of speeding and drink and drug driving offences. The State Government must focus on strengthening law and order on the roads through deterrents, enforcement, and improving driver behaviour."
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