Motorists caught driving recklessly in parks and on beaches will soon be slapped with heftier fines amid a statewide crackdown.
Drivers caught taking potentially fatal risks in protected areas will be fined hundreds of dollars more, under changes aimed at improving driver behaviour and visitor safety.
From September 15, fines issued by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers will rise to match fines issued by the Queensland Police Service.
Offences with increased penalties in national parks, state forests, recreation areas and reserves include failure to properly wear a seatbelt (fines increasing from $309 to $1161), driving without due care and attention (from $309 to $619) and failure to wear a motorbike helmet while riding, or being a passenger (from $309 to $464).
A new $309 fine for dangerous driving of vehicles other than motor vehicles, such as e-scooters, will also be introduced for state forests, to match the existing fine for protected areas and recreation areas.
QPWS rangers are empowered to enforce these vehicle laws and can direct drivers or riders to stop. Failure to comply is an offence.
QPWS compliance optimisation manager Michael Devery said rangers made no apologies for handing out hefty fines to those caught endangering lives behind the wheel in protected areas.
“Queensland is home to some of the most popular vehicle-accessible beach tracks in Australia – many of which are managed by QPWS,” he said.
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“While most drivers and riders do the right thing while visiting these places, sadly we have seen the tragic consequences of irresponsible motorists including fatalities and significant injuries.”
Since 2013, there have been five fatal crashes on beaches managed by QPWS at Cooloola, K’gari and Bribie Island.
There have also been multiple serious vehicle rollovers requiring assistance from emergency services – most recently in January 2023 when a vehicle carrying seven teenagers rolled at Teewah Beach.
Dangerous driving, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt were significant contributing factors to most of these incidents, and rangers continue to witness irresponsible driver behaviour while patrolling these areas.
In 2021, Department of Environment and Science data showed there was 576 vehicle-related offences in protected areas across Queensland, while in 2022 there was 469 offences.
Over the past 12 months, rangers have issued 29 fines for seatbelt offences, 79 fines for careless driving and three fines for failure to wear a motorbike helmet.
Mr Devery said avoiding these hefty fines was easy.
“Obey all signage including the speed limit, wear your seatbelt, never drink and drive and never let anyone without a licence behind the wheel,” he said.
“The increased fines might hurt if you get one, but they’re a lot less painful than a vehicle rollover or worse.”
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He said driving in parks and on beaches meant navigating changing conditions that could fluctuate daily, especially in tidal areas.
“That’s why it’s so important for drivers, riders and passengers to be secure, sensible and alert at all times,” he said.
“Most four-wheel-drivers and motorbike riders know how to prepare their vehicles for the outdoors and that same level of care needs to be applied to everyone in and around the vehicle at all times.
“We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience on our beautiful beaches, parks and forests, but it’s up to drivers to do the right thing to make this happen.”
Rangers carry out regular patrols of national parks, state forests and recreation areas, working in partnership with police to enforce the road rules.
For more information about driving on the sand click here.
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