Queensland roadside near misses and rising road deaths during National Road Safety Week 2026
Consensus Summary
Queensland is experiencing a surge in roadside near misses involving tow trucks and emergency responders, with RACQ reporting 29 incidents in six months—triple the previous year’s total. Authorities warn that if drivers fail to comply with Move Over, Slow Down laws, collisions could become more frequent. The state’s road toll has risen sharply, with 125 deaths in 2026 already, a 30% increase over the same period last year, and projections suggest it could reach 330 by year’s end. Both sources emphasize that dangerous behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving are contributing to the crisis, particularly endangering vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Police and road safety advocates are urging motorists to prioritize caution during National Road Safety Week, stressing that compliance with roadside safety laws is critical to preventing further tragedies.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- RACQ recorded 29 near misses involving tow trucks assisting motorists between November 2025 and April 2026, more than triple the 9 recorded in the same period in 2024–2025
- Queensland has recorded 125 road deaths so far in 2026, a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2025
- RACQ Deputy Chief Executive Glenn Toms stated that Queensland law requires drivers to move over and slow down when seeing flashing lights on the roadside
- Queensland Police Service is targeting high-risk driving behaviors including speeding, distracted and impaired driving, driving tired, and not wearing seatbelts
- Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists remain overrepresented in fatal crashes in Queensland
- The warnings come during National Road Safety Week, with authorities highlighting worsening road safety outcomes in Queensland
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- RACQ released shocking footage of near misses, collisions, and vehicles narrowly passing roadside crews on the shoulder
- Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler described first responders' emotional impact from road fatalities as a motivator for their work
- RACQ warned the road toll could reach 330 by the end of 2026 if the current trend continues
- A woman died earlier in May 2026 after being hit by a ute while returning to her car on the side of the M1 (source: Aussie Towing)
- The ABC News outlet explicitly noted RACQ's call for drivers to slow down with the phrase 'RACQ wants drivers to slow down.'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources on key factual claims.
Source Articles
Shocking images of roadside near misses
A new set of confronting dashcam recordings has revealed just how close roadside workers are coming to being hit on highways.
Warnings issued after surge in Queensland roadside close calls
Flashing lights on the roadside should mean one thing, but the RACQ says many drivers are not following their safety obligations.