ROAD deaths across the country are the highest they have been in 15 years despite a national road safety strategy designed to reduce the toll.
The figures, and disparity, was highlighted by the national motoring advocacy group Australian Automobile Association (AAA).
And the group says it is frustrated by a lack of clarity from the authorities about what is driving this increase.
The AAA says in the 12 months to July 31, 2025, 1340 people died on the nation’s roads, up 2.9% over the same period the year before. This death toll included 205 pedestrians – up 44, or 27.3%.
The group says that since 2021, when the national road safety strategy target of halving road deaths by 2030 was adopted, the number of road deaths rose by 22.2% and pedestrian deaths were up by 48.6%.
AAA managing director Michael Bradley says the strategy is “falling well short of its targets”.
“Governments must look closely at their road trauma data to find out why then take corrective action to save lives,” he says.
“Our national strategy is clearly not working as planned and governments cannot expect to get better results by pursuing the same failed approach.”
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At the state-territory level, the most road deaths for the 12 months ending on July 31 were in Tasmania (up 41.9% or from 31 to 44), Australian Capital Territory (up 12.7% or from 7 to 8) and Western Australia (up 12.7% or from 181 to 204).
The only states to record falls were the Northern Territory (31.3% or 64 to 44 deaths) and South Australia (9.4% or 96 to 87 deaths).
Queensland’s toll went from 291 deaths to 299, a rise of 2.7% in a year.
The AAA says the Northern Territory had the nation’s highest rate of road deaths per 100,000 residents (16.8) followed by Tasmania (7.6), Western Australia (6.8), Queensland (5.3), South Australia (4.6), Victoria (4.3), NSW (4.2) and the ACT (1.7).
Fewer men died on the roads (993, a fall of 1.6%) but women’s deaths rose to 346 (up 18.9%).
The figures were gathered from Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics statistics.
The 1340 deaths recorded nationally was the worst result since 2010 when 1395 deaths were recorded.
The rising rate of pedestrian deaths was driven by WA (31, up from 14 the year before) and Queensland (37, up from 23 the year before).
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ROAD STOPS FOR TRUCKS
Meanwhile, the federal government will spend $3.6 million on new facilities at heavy vehicle rest stops on regional freight routes.
These projects are:
- New parking, toilet blocks and picnic shelters at the Kyeamba rest area (between Yass and Albury).
- A new women’s toilet block at the Nhill trailer exchange, western Victoria.
- Two new rest areas to be built at Wiawera and Black Springs in South Australia, each one featuring space for four vehicles, sheltered tables and seating.
These new facilities are being built as part of a $140 million Heavy Vehicle Rest Area (HVRA) scheme, which has funded 25 new and upgraded truck rest areas.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says there is “plenty more to come” when it comes to projects.
“Experienced truckies know their routes like the back of their hand so we’re asking them to tell us where they want upgrades and where new facilities are needed,” she says.
Suggestions can be made via a Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas Survey.
Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm says the projects are a collaborate effort with New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
“Whether you’re in an office, on a farm, or behind the wheel, every Australian deserves the facilities to keep them safe at work.”
Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee chairman Glenn Sterle says that “fit for purpose facilities means safer trips and a more productive transport sector”.
