Road safety survey finds more Queenslanders are admitting to breaking driving laws

A new study by a leading automotive group has found more Queenslanders are owning up to breaking driving laws.

Research by the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has revealed almost one in 10 of the State's drivers surveyed (8.1 per cent) admitted to not wearing a seatbelt at some point over the past 12 months.

Furthermore, the number of drivers speeding, drink driving and driving while tired has also increased from last year.

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“Already this year, almost 200 people have died on Queensland roads and, unfortunately, we’re on track to record our worst road toll in more than a decade,” said spokesperson Tristan Vorias.

“This Road Safety Week, we want to highlight the importance of staying safe on Queensland roads, so it’s very disappointing to see so many drivers making life-threatening decisions when behind the wheel."

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The survey found nearly three quarters (74.3 per cent) of motorists surveyed admitted to speeding, while 41.2 per cent said they had driven tired, and 13.3 per cent had driven when they thought they may be over the legal blood alcohol limit.

In the last year, 28.6 per cent of Queenslanders surveyed said they'd done something that would interfere with their ability to drive safely – such as using their mobile phone or driving while distracted.

“No matter your age or how confident you feel behind the wheel, making poor decisions can kill you or others on the road in a matter of seconds," Vorias added.

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Earlier this year, Queensland hit those falling foul of the law on its roads with tougher penalties.

As of July 1 motorists in the Sunshine State now must pay more for their registration and licence fees, tolls, public transport, and parking in the Brisbane CBD too.