Australian road toll increased by seven per cent in 2023

Newly-released figures from the Australian Government have revealed the country's road toll increased by more than 7 per cent in a single year.

According to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, a total of 1266 road-related deaths were reported during 2023.

While it represents an increase of 7.3 per cent compared with 2022's road toll, the figures equate to a 4.8 per cent increase when viewed per capita.

Currently there are almost five deaths annually for every 100,000 Australians.

Despite decreases in road toll figures from Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and the ACT, the national tally expanded overall due to an increase in road deaths from New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

Victoria saw an increase of 22.5 per cent year-on-year, while New South Wales reported an increase of 24.9 per cent. South Australia was worst hit, with 117 deaths in 2023 compared to just 71 in 2022, resulting in an increase of 64.8 per cent.

South Australia was also the worst off for fatalities per 100,000 residents, reporting a 62.1 per cent increase to 6.3 deaths per capita.

While the most number of deaths were in the 40 to 64 age bracket, those aged 17 to 25, as well as those aged above 75 years, recorded the greatest increase in fatalities at 7 per cent each.

Pedestrian deaths reduced by 2 per cent in 2023, however it was the only group to see a reduction. Cyclist deaths increased by 3 per cent, motorcyclist deaths increased by 5 per cent, passenger deaths increased by 10 per cent, and driver deaths increased by 12 per cent.

Female fatalities reduced by 1 per cent compared with 2022 – a stark contrast to male deaths which went up by 10 per cent over the same period.

While fatalities occurring in areas with posted speed limits of between 60 and 110km/h were down, those in speed limit areas of 50km/h increased by 21 per cent, while deaths within 40km/h speed limits or below grew by 62 per cent year-on-year.

The majority of deaths took place during the day – increasing by 14 per cent in 2023 – while night-time road fatalities decreased by 7 per cent.

In December 2023 alone, road deaths were 15.7 per cent higher than the average for that month over the past five years.