More than 250 life-sized cutouts were placed in Brisbane’s King George Square today as a stark reminder of the lives lost on Queensland roads this year.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Commissioner Steve Gollschewski unveiled the tribute to road crash victims to highlight the tragic loss of life on the state’s roads.
Commissioner Gollschewski said each of the 259 life-sized cut-outs of adults and children represented a life lost in 2024.
He said it was a reminder to all drivers of their responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads, ahead of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday.
“These 259 figures represent the lives lost on our roads this year – each a person with loved ones left behind.
“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 was 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.”
She said 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.
Lives lost on Queensland roads, per police district, as of midnight, November 14, 2024:
- Darling Downs: 27.
- Far North: 23.
- Wide Bay Burnett: 23.
- Capricornia: 22.
- Mackay: 20.
- North Brisbane : 20.
- South Brisbane: 20.
- Logan: 18.
- Moreton: 17.
- Gold Coast: 15.
- Ipswich: 14.
- Townsville: 14.
- Sunshine Coast: 13.
- South West: 10.
- Mount Isa: 3.
STATE TOTAL: 259.
