Australia has just recorded its deadliest 12 months on the road since 2010, with 1337 lives lost in the year to May 31, a 4.8% increase year on year, according to newly released data.
While drivers and passengers still make up the bulk of the toll (816 deaths, or 61%), the sharpest increases came from vulnerable road users:
- Cyclist deaths rose by 36.7% (from 30 to 41)
- Pedestrian deaths jumped by 15.7% (from 166 to 192)
These alarming spikes are raising major concerns for road safety advocates and calling into question the effectiveness of current national strategies.
State by State Breakdown
Some states are faring far worse than others. Here’s a look at where the biggest spikes happened:
| State | 2023 Deaths | 2024 Deaths | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 349 | 350 | +1 | +0.3% |
| VIC | 283 | 299 | +16 | +5.7% |
| QLD | 286 | 303 | +17 | +5.9% |
| SA | 96 | 88 | -8 | -8.3% |
| TAS | 173 | 194 | +21 | +12.1% |
| WA | 30 | 43 | +13 | +43.3% |
| NT | 52 | 51 | -1 | -1.9% |
| ACT | 7 | 9 | +2 | +28.6% |
| National | 1276 | 1337 | +61 | +4.8% |
Western Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT had the largest percentage increases, while South Australia and the Northern Territory were the only regions to record a drop in fatalities.
Is the National Strategy Failing?
Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy (2021–30) set a goal of halving road fatalities by 2030, with long-term ambitions for ‘Vision Zero’ by 2050. But the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) says we’re heading in the wrong direction.
“Far from halving road deaths as planned, this latest data shows fatalities have increased 21.9% since the Strategy began,” said AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley.
He’s now calling for a complete overhaul, warning that the current interventions are either failing or not being delivered.
What’s Driving the Rise?
While full crash reports are still being analysed, road safety experts continue to highlight the same recurring factors:
- Distracted driving (especially mobile phone use)
- Speeding in urban and regional zones
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Lack of infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians
With many fatalities occurring in busy streets, regional roads, or areas shared with vulnerable road users, experts are urging a focus on smarter design, better enforcement, and stronger education.
The numbers don’t lie, something’s broken in Australia’s road safety approach. Vulnerable road users are bearing the brunt of it, and unless meaningful change happens soon, these tragic statistics could become the new norm.
