Australia has had the highest road death toll for the past five and a half years, according to the Australian Automobile Association (AAA).
In the 12 months to November, 1,253 people died on Australian roads.
Targets
The Federal Government has a goal to reach zero deaths on Australian roads by 2050. This includes drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The latest data shows that all these targets are unlikely to be met.
Both the territories have a slightly higher chance of targets being met, but they remain overall low.
State breakdown of road death toll
NSW had the highest road death toll (354) in the past year and the ACT had the lowest (3).
NSW saw a significant spike in deaths from May this year through to August.
From November 2022 to November 2023, NSW saw a 24% increase in deaths.
Deaths in SA and VIC have also gradually increased throughout this year.
WA, TAS, and the ACT had a slight decline in deaths overall. NT’s rates plateaued.
QLD’s rates have been irregular. However, at the end of November, they fell lower than VIC for the first time in years.
Government response
Transport Minister Catherine King has urged the public to “take it easy on the roads” and to “drive with care this holiday season”.
Assistant Minister for Transport Carol Brown has reminded people to wear seatbelts, not to drink drive, stick to the speed limits and to not “take risks on our roads. It just isn’t worth it.”
