road safety

Deaths of drivers aged 17 to 25 have increased for the first time in three years, as the latest studies show not everyone is getting the road safety message. New data from both the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) and the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) suggests young people continue to engage in risky behaviours such as riding in a car with a drunk driver, speeding, driving while tired, or not wearing a seat belt.

Queenslanders are the most distracted drivers in Australia, with two-thirds admitting they engage in dangerous behaviours behind the wheel. That's a contrast with New South Wales, where 46 per cent of motorists claim they've never done anything risky on the road. The latest Finder Safe Driving Report reveals 11 million motorists engage in risky or dangerous behaviours while driving, with 20 per cent of the 1800 people surveyed admitting they've answered a call or text on their phone.

Harsher penalties for New South Wales drink and drug drivers come into force on May 20, with drivers facing instant licence loss for even 'low-range' offences. Update: This story has been updated, as the laws come into force on May 20. It was originally published with the headline: 'NSW passes tougher drink driving penalties'. The opening par has been adjusted.

Nearly three-quarters of Australian motorists are worried about mobile phone use, and more than half are calling for a strong police presence to tackle the problem. According to a study of 1500 NRMA members, illegal phone use tops the list of safety concerns on the road, with 72 per cent of respondents listing it as a concern, topping drunk drivers (56 per cent) and speeding (55 per cent).

Young drivers are almost twice as likely to be killed in a traffic accident than their parents, according to new data from Australian Roads. The research says traffic injuries are the second-biggest killer of people aged between 15 and 24 in Australia. It also said the ability to perform basic safety checks is "becoming extinct" among younger drivers.