Australia's road toll hits 15-year high, reversing four decades of safety gains
Australia's road deaths have hit their highest level in 15 years, breaking a 40-year safety trend.
Australia's road deaths have climbed to their highest level in 15 years, breaking a 40-year decline that started after seatbelt and drink-driving laws took hold in the 1970s. The rise started unexpectedly in 2020 and continues for a sixth year running.
Deaths among vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders are rising fastest. Drug-driving now replaces drink-driving as a major factor.
It shows up in nearly 17 per cent of fatal crashes. Bigger, heavier cars pose higher risks for pedestrians.
Every 10 centimetres of vehicle height raises the odds of a pedestrian death by 11 per cent. Australia has slipped in global rankings, barely cracking the top 20 OECD nations for road safety.
- 15 years
- Highest toll in
- 40 years
- Safety decline lasted
- Nearly 17 per cent
- Drug-driving in fatal crashes
- 11 per cent per 10cm
- Vehicle height risk increase
Why it mattersA preventable problem is getting worse while Australia aims to halve road deaths by 2030 and reach zero by 2050.
AustraliaEvery Australian driver and pedestrian is affected by rising road deaths, and the trend means more families will lose loved ones despite decades of safety improvement.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 6 h ago
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