What’s Happening?
As National Road Safety Week runs from 17 to 24 May, a Cairns compensation lawyer is warning that older people face growing risks on North Queensland roads.
Beth Rolton, a personal injury lawyer at Travis Schultz and Partners, said older Queenslanders are increasingly exposed as drivers and pedestrians.
“We’re seeing older Queenslanders increasingly exposed to risk on our roads, both as drivers and pedestrians,” Ms Rolton said.
“Many remain active and independent later in life, walking regularly, travelling throughout regional communities and continuing to drive well into retirement.”
Her warning comes as Far North Queensland fatalities are up 100 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Ms Rolton said several pressures are now meeting on regional roads.
They include an ageing population, tourism traffic, caravan travel, long-distance driving and more pedestrians in busy centres.
Why It Matters?
The concern is not only about crash numbers.
It is also about who is being hurt and how severe the harm can be.
Older drivers may face longer trips, unfamiliar roads and changing traffic conditions.
Older pedestrians may also suffer serious injuries, even in lower-speed crashes.
“Older pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, often suffering life-changing injuries even in lower-speed incidents,” Ms Rolton said.
Pedestrian fatalities across Queensland are now sitting at a five-year high.
Department of Transport and Main Roads data shows 38 pedestrian deaths in 2025, with fatalities 33 per cent above both annual and long-term averages.
Ms Rolton said driver inattention remains a common risk, especially around intersections, turns and crossings.
By the Numbers
- North Queensland’s road toll is currently up 133 per cent compared with the same period last year.
- A combined 13 lives have already been lost across northern regional roads so far this year.
- Fatalities involving people aged 75 and over are tracking more than 50 per cent above both the state’s five-year average and the same time last year.
Local Impact
For North Queensland, the issue is tied closely to local travel patterns.
Regional roads are used by residents, retirees, tourists, caravan travellers and daily commuters.
“We’re seeing more older people travelling with large caravans and towing vehicles on unfamiliar regional roads, particularly in sought-after destinations like ours. With more than 900,000 caravans now on Australian roads, the volume of grey nomads travelling through regions like Far North Queensland continues to grow,” Ms Rolton said.
She said cost-of-living pressure may also be changing how locals move around.
“In our region, we also have long-distance driving and busy tourism traffic all intersecting, while rising fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures are putting more locals on foot. Recent data shows almost 80 per cent of Queenslanders now walk in a typical week,” Ms Rolton said.
That means road safety risks are not limited to highways.
They also affect crossings, shopping areas, tourism centres and familiar local streets.
Zoom In
Ms Rolton said recent client matters show how ordinary road settings can lead to serious harm.
“In one recent matter we acted in, a 70-year-old man was struck while using a pedestrian crossing near a busy intersection at dusk during wet weather conditions,” she said.
She said these cases often happen during everyday routines.
“These incidents often occur in very ordinary, everyday environments, people walking home, crossing familiar roads or drivers simply trying to get home after work,” Ms Rolton said.
“In busy traffic, drivers can become focused on finding gaps in traffic or making turns and fail to properly observe pedestrians, particularly in poor weather or dim lighting conditions.”
She urged drivers to take extra care around older pedestrians.
“We need drivers to slow down, stay vigilant and actively watch for pedestrians, particularly older pedestrians who may not be able to move quickly out of danger,” Ms Rolton said.
Zoom Out
The warning comes during a week focused on preventable crashes and lives lost.
Across Queensland, the road toll is still tracking above previous years.
The rise in older road user deaths adds another concern for regional communities.
It also shows how road trauma affects families well beyond the crash scene.
One distracted moment can leave people facing long recovery, legal stress and major life changes.
“People become complacent because they’re travelling familiar routes or simply focused on getting home. But one split second of distraction can have life-changing consequences, particularly for vulnerable road users,” Ms Rolton said.
What To Look For Next?
National Road Safety Week gives North Queensland drivers a timely reason to rethink daily road habits.
The focus now is on safer driving, better pedestrian awareness and more care on familiar regional roads.
