New laws to crack down on dangerous driving, including a doubling of penalties for drug driving, will come into force in December 2026.
The laws include increased jail terms and licence disqualifications for serious and repeat offenders, and tougher penalties for drink and drug driving.
Drivers caught more than 40km/h over the speed limit will face an Immediate six-month licence suspension.
The new penalties were passed by the Queensland Parliament last week.
Changes under the Criminal Code (Dangerous Driving) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 include:
- Higher maximum penalties for dangerous driving, particularly for motor vehicle offences, including up to 5- or 7- years imprisonment where no death or grievous bodily harm is caused, and up to 16- or 25-years imprisonment where death or grievous bodily harm occurs.
- Increased minimum licence disqualification periods, with tougher consequences for offences involving death or grievous bodily harm, aggravated offending, and repeat offenders.
- Expanded mandatory imprisonment requirements for serious and repeat dangerous driving offenders, ensuring jail sentences apply in a broader range of circumstances.
The passing of the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act (2026) means offenders will face:
- Doubled penalties for drug driving, with higher fines and longer licence disqualifications.
- Stronger penalties for combined drink and drug offences, targeting a growing and highly dangerous behaviour.
- Minimum court-imposed fines to ensure penalties match the seriousness of offences.
- Immediate six-month licence suspensions for drivers caught more than 40km/h over the speed limit.
- Improved seatbelt enforcement, allowing drivers to nominate adult passengers so the right person is held accountable.
Further changes coming in 2027 will streamline roadside drug testing and introduce a mandatory drug driving education program to tackle repeat offending.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the stronger laws would make Queenslanders safer and help prevent the devastating consequences of dangerous driving.
“These new laws send a clear message to offenders, if you choose to act dangerously behind the wheel, you will face serious consequences,” she said.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said Queensland’s road toll had been trending upwards for far too long.
“Drug driving has overtaken drink driving as the leading cause of motor vehicle deaths, with THC detected in more than 60 percent of drug-driving deaths – it’s simply not safe to drive with drugs in your system,” he said.
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous behaviour behind the wheel, so more Queenslanders can get home safer and sooner.”
