Mr. Michael Rowland:

There are concerning levels for all of the killer behaviours that we have referenced, in particular with regard to speeding and alcohol. We conduct observational surveys on speeding. In 2023, one in two drivers exceeded the 30 km/h, 50 km/h and 60 km/h speed limits. We ask drivers about their self-reported speeding behaviours and the acceptability of speeding. The level of speeding has been consistently high since 2020. It has yet to return to pre-Covid levels. People are admitting to speeding. Coronial data is always a few years behind because it takes a while for inquests and investigations to take place. With regard to such data, from 2015 to 2019 we found that 26% of drivers, approximately one in four, were exceeding a safe speed in the lead up to the fatal crash.

With regard to drink-driving, in the past 12 months one in ten drivers have reported driving after drinking any alcohol. The surveys also indicate a higher level of social acceptability of drink-driving in recent years, which is a worrying trend. The figure for those who think it is unacceptable has gone from 83% to 73%. People are more likely to drink and drive or to accept such behaviour. One in four drivers believe it is acceptable to drive short distances after having a drink. In addition, in our analysis of coronial data we found that 37% of driver fatalities that occurred between 2015 and 2019 had a positive toxicology for alcohol.