Casualty rates have increased on Australia’s roads in 2024. Official data from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) shows that road deaths increased to 1,295 for the year ending on 31st October 2024. This was an increase of 4.9% over the same period in the previous 12 months and is the second year in a row that Australia’s road fatalities have grown compared to the previous year.
ACT and Northern Territory have fared particularly poorly with growths in road deaths of 200% and 103.6% respectively for the year ending on 31st October 2024. Western Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland saw road deaths increase by 7.1%, 5.8%, 3.7% and 1% respectively for the year ending on 31st October 2024.
Meanwhile, Tasmania and South Australia have bucked the trend with reductions in road deaths of 5.9% and 11.2% respectively for the year ending on 31st October 2024.
Measures to improve road safety have not proven effective in Australia so far, with the exception of Tasmania and South Australia. Driving under the influence, speeding and distracted driving are all key factors in the comparatively poor road safety record of Australia.
