New data shows the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025 was the deadliest on Australian roads since 2010, due in large part to significant increases in deaths of cyclists and pedestrians.
According to data published by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), there were 1337 road fatalities during this 12-month period – an increase of 61 deaths, or a 4.8 per cent increase overall.
Pedestrian deaths increased by 15.7 per cent to 192 deaths, while cyclist deaths increased 36.7 per cent to 41 overall.
Overall road deaths were down in South Australia and the Northern Territory, but soared in Tasmania. The Apple Isle recorded 13 additional road deaths in the 12-month period, a 43.3 per cent increase to 43 in total.
Western Australia’s road death toll increased by 12.1 per cent or an additional 21 road deaths, for 194 in total.
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While New South Wales recorded only one additional road death, the next most populous states tragically recorded significantly more.
Victoria’s tally rose from 283 to 299, a 5.7 per cent increase, while Queensland’s rose from 286 to 303, a 5.9 per cent increase.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA), the peak body representing the nation’s motoring clubs, said the deadly 12-month period is proof the National Road Safety Strategy (2021-30) – designed by state and federal governments – is “wildly off track”.
“Far from halving roads deaths [by 2030] as planned, this latest data shows this Strategy has seen fatalities increase 21.9 per cent since its inception,’’ said AAA managing director Michael Bradley.
“This Strategy is due for review and the Federal Government needs to show national leadership and ensure this review gets to the bottom of this worsening crisis.
“This Strategy saw governments commit to road safety interventions that are either not working or not being delivered.
“The upcoming review needs to urgently clarify what’s working, what’s not, and how we need to change the way we’re managing road trauma across Australia.”
The AAA notes that no state or territory is on track to meet its targets under the National Road Safety Strategy.
Last year, federal transport minister Catherine King secured promises from state governments for greater visibility of road safety data – something the AAA had been calling for for some time.
The Federation Funding Agreement – Infrastructure requires state governments to make available greater road safety data, including data on the age, gender, licence status, driving experience and vehicle seating position of people involved in crashes, including whether they engaged in risky behaviour.
It also requires governments to provide information on the location, date and time of crashes, as well as the road characteristics and conditions.
However, it’s unclear whether this data has been received by the federal government.
| Jurisdiction | Road deaths in 12 months to May 31, 2024 | Road deaths in 12 months to May 31, 2025 | Increase | Percentage change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 349 | 350 | 1 | 0.3% |
| VIC | 283 | 299 | 16 | 5.7% |
| QLD | 286 | 303 | 17 | 5.9% |
| SA | 96 | 88 | -8 | -8.3% |
| WA | 173 | 194 | 21 | 12.1% |
| TAS | 30 | 43 | 13 | 43.3% |
| NT | 52 | 51 | -1 | -1.9% |
| ACT | 7 | 9 | 2 | 28.6% |
| TOTAL | 1276 | 1337 | 61 | 4.8% |