The message to Sunshine Coast drivers from governing bodies this summer is simple: “stop multi-tasking, just drive.”
That’s also the clear and simple advice from RACQ following its 2022 Annual Road Safety Survey, which revealed Queensland’s alarming distracted driving behaviours.
The data revealed the staggering percentage of respondents in each region who admit to poor habits while driving that are leading to distraction.
A total 81.9 per cent of respondents in greater Brisbane admitted to adjusting stereo settings while driving, compared to 82.9 per cent in Southeast Queensland (SEQ) and 85 per cent throughout the rest of Queensland.
Further data showed 72.6 per cent of SEQ participants admitted to eating and drinking while driving, 66.5 percent used a hands-free mobile phone, 61.6 per cent of drivers viewed or entered GPS settings and 29.9 per cent of drivers used a hand-held mobile phone.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson confirmed the current road toll for 2022 caused by distracted drivers for the Sunshine Coast (up to December 5) was 23 – compared to 16 lives lost at the same time last year.
From July 1, 2022, the penalty for driving without due care and attention is a maximum of 40 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment, making the maximum fine for the offence $5750.
Queensland Road Policing Chief Superintendent Chris Stream urged Queensland communities to help aim for zero fatalities this Christmas period.
“We will be doing everything we can to stop people making those fatal errors,” Supt Stream said.
“There are lots of contributors, we look at those Fatal Five’s and they are overrepresented in the statistics around that.
“When you hop in your car, make sure you do those simple things; put your phone away don’t be distracted by it, put your seatbelt on … we have sufficient evidence to suggest people are still are not doing that.”
Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey echoed Mr Bailey’s sentiments, urging people to prioritise road safety every time before getting behind the wheel.
“There is too much dangerous driving going on and we are seeing too many fatalities that are a worry this year,” Mr Bailey said.
“We’ve already has 275 fatalities this year – that’s up by nine from last year.
“What we are seeing is roughly about three quarters of fatalities on our roads are people making poor choices and paying a terrible, terrible price for it.”
Mr Bailey said nearly 120,000 Queenslanders had been caught using their mobile phone this year.
“You have to be prepared when you drive for any eventuality – it is really disappointing to see some people out there still not getting the message – your eyes should be on the road not on your mobile phone.”
RACQ’s message “Stop multi-tasking. Just drive.” will be plastered on billboards across the state this summer in a bid to change driver behaviour and create awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
The club’s General Manager Advocacy Joshua Cooney said even with 23 people dying in road crashes involving inattentive or distracted motorists, the latest Annual Road Safety Survey showed many Queenslanders still don’t take distracted driving seriously.
“Our research shows 64 per cent of drivers admit to using a hands-free mobile phone behind the wheel, almost 32 per cent said they use a hand-held phone, 74 per cent said they eat and drink, and nearly 60 per cent view or enter GPS settings while driving,” he said.
“It’s so important to avoid doing anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the critical task of driving.”
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