Australia’s road toll continues to worsen
Latest figures show road deaths in Australia are continuing to trend upwards in 2024Australia’s road toll has continued its upward trajectory with 634 road users having lost their lives in the first six months of 2024, an increase of 7.5 per cent over the corresponding period last year (590).
New South Wales has the highest tally with 170 road deaths as of June 30, followed closely by Queensland (145) and Victoria (139).
While the eastern states have the highest numbers, the ACT and Northern Territory have reported the biggest year-on-year percentage increases: 200 per cent in the ACT (two road deaths in the first half compared to six in H1 2023) and 383 per cent in the NT (six versus 29).
Victoria (-4%), South Australia (44, -27%) and Tasmania (10, -44%) have recorded year-on-year declines, however the national total for the previous 12 months (ending June 30, 2024) makes for grim reading.
According to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), 1310 people died on Australian roads between June 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 compared to 1173 over the corresponding 2022/23 period, equating to an increase of 11.7 per cent.
“Presently, the rate of annual deaths per 100,000 population stands at 4.9,” BITRE said in its latest report.
“This is a nine per cent increase compared to the rate for the 12-month period ending June 2023.”
BITRE also said the running national total is already significantly higher than the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30’s targeted 571 yearly deaths by the end of the decade.
2024 road toll by state/territory as of June 30:
NSW – 170
Vic – 139
Qld – 145
SA – 44
WA – 91
Tas – 10
NT – 29
ACT – 6
Total: 634
Related: Australia’s road toll hits seven-year high
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