Car hits tree, killing Gold Coast man, as state’s road toll more than doubles
A man has died after the car in which he was a passenger clipped the median strip and slammed into a tree on the Gold Coast overnight.
Queensland’s road toll this year has risen to more than two-and-a-half times higher that of last year’s, with 31 lives lost as of Sunday, compared with the 12 people killed by the same time in 2020.
Police pleaded with drivers last week after releasing the shocking Christmas and New Year road safety figures.
In the latest tragedy, a black Mazda 6 was travelling along Pitcairn Way in Pacific Pines just before 5pm on Sunday when it hit the median strip before crashing into a tree.
A 33-year-old male passenger, who lived in the Gold Coast suburb of Labrador, died at the scene.
A 22-year-old female passenger was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition with pelvic and chest injuries.
The 24-year-old male driver was also taken to Gold Coast University Hospital, but he was in a stable condition with spinal precautions.
Police have appealed for anyone who saw the black Mazda 6 before the crash to come forward.
Last week, police revealed 37 people died on the roads during a Christmas and New Year road-safety operation, from December 9 to January 29, compared with 20 in the same period a year earlier.
In response, police have boosted their focus on drug-driving after more than a quarter of motorists tested during a Christmas and New Year operation were found to have drugs in their system.
Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder said police were aware drivers had increased their speeds since COVID-19, and other high-risk behaviours had also increased across the holiday period.
The figures come after a 50-year record low death toll in 2019, followed by COVID-19 disruptions in 2020 leading to fewer cars on the road but an increase in risky behaviour observed by police and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
- with Matt Dennien
Toby Crockford is a breaking news reporter at the Brisbane Times