Evaluation of increased penalties for high risk driving offences in Queensland, Australia

In July 2022, penalties for a number of high-risk driving offences (speeding, non/incorrect-use of seatbelts and red light running) were increased in Queensland, Australia (the ‘High-Risk Penalty Increase’). This article provides the outcomes of an evaluation of these changes in penalties. Offence data were analysed to assess whether the higher penalties had led to changes in driving behaviour. Positive findings included reductions in rates of speeding (detected by both fixed and mobile speed cameras) and red light infringements. Overall, the High-Risk Penalty Increase has had an impact consistent with both specific and general deterrence, which would be expected to have positive effects on the safety of Queensland roads. Consistent with a number of previous studies, the results of this evaluation suggest that increasing penalties for driving offences can have a road safety benefit through reductions in offending. However, the penalty increases evaluated in this study coincided with high inflation in Australia and this may have also had an effect on offending rates. That the findings of this study would be replicated in more stable macroeconomic circumstances cannot be assumed.