Drivers admit to breaking the law

NEW data has revealed Queensland motorists are blatantly ignoring road rules with more drivers engaging in the Fatal 5 behaviours in the past 12 months.

RACQ’s Annual Road Safety Survey found nearly three quarters (74.3 per cent) of motorists are speeding, driving while tired (41.2 per cent) or over the blood alcohol limit (13.3 per cent).

The survey also revealed more Queensland motorists are adjusting their stereos (83.1 per cent), drinking/eating (74.1 per cent) or using their handheld mobile phone (31.6 per cent), all while driving.

RACQ manager road safety and technical Joel Tucker said it was concerning to see so many motorists engaging in the Fatal 5 behaviours.

“It is particularly worrying to see a seven per cent increase in the number of people admitting to driving tired and experiencing difficulty staying awake, compared to the year before,” he said.

“With so much going on in our lives it’s easy to be distracted while driving but getting safely to the destination must be our main objective.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said this data showed that Queensland still had a long way to go in reducing driver distraction, “which remains one of the biggest killers on our roads”.

“It’s encouraging that people are getting the message that if you’re using your phone illegally behind the wheel you can get caught … but we still have a long way to go,” he said.

“I won’t be happy until the number of people caught by our hi-tech cameras is zero.

“When you’re distracted behind the wheel it’s not just your life you’re putting on the line – it’s the lives of your passengers, people in the vehicles around you and pedestrians.”

Mr Bailey urged Queensland drivers to follow “longstanding, lifesaving rules”.