More than three quarters of all deaths on Queensland roads are men. Men on motorcycles make up 29% of the road toll and only 4% of registered vehicles. The AAA has repeatedly asked state governments to share their road safety data before they can receive federal funding but only Queensland has agreed so far.
Far more men than women die on Qld roads
In the 5 years from January 2019 to December 2023, 1,344 people died on state roads. Men made up 76.8% of all deaths in the 5 year period.
This table shows disobeying road rules was the biggest contributor to male and female deaths. But men were far more likely than women to die because of alcohol, drugs and excessive speed.
Deaths of men and women in 5 years
|
Men |
Women |
|
| 1. Disobeying road rules |
660 (64%) |
135 (43%) |
|
2. Alcohol and drug-affected drivers |
439 (43%) |
69 (22%) |
|
3. Excessive speed |
301 (29%) |
37 (12%) |
|
Total deaths |
1,032 |
312 |
Men die on motorcycles in Qld
RACQ wants motorcyclists to ‘drop the ego, not the bike’. In 5 years, 300 men have died on motorycles. This is 29% of all deaths, even though motorcycles account for only 4% of registered vehicles.
Commonly men ride bikes that are too big for them or too powerful for their experience. This is the case in other states and territories, not just in Qld.
Do we need more road safety data?
The AAA has been saying for a long time that states and territories should share their roads data to address the road toll. It says the Federal Government should make this contingent on receiving more than $10 billion available in grants.
The Qld government was first to agree to share its data on car crashes, traffic policing and road conditions. In fact, a recent report on the Bruce Highway (see our blog on the busiest roads) found 45% of the highway was rated only two stars or less for road safety.
If the problem were just road conditions, presumably women would die at the same rate as men. But it’s mostly men who die on motorcycles and mostly men who are dying on the roads.