18 May 2026
The North Coast region, which includes the Sunshine Coast, is recording one of Queensland’s worst road tolls, with 28 lives lost so far this year ‒ more than double Brisbane’s current toll.[1]
Local lawyers are warning motorcycle riders remain among the most vulnerable road users, with 31 motorcyclists already losing their lives on Queensland roads in the first four-and-a-half months of the year, tracking 40 per cent higher than the same time last year.[2]
The warning comes ahead of National Road Safety Week (17–24 May), with Sunshine Coast personal injury lawyer Greg Spinda from Travis Schultz & Partners saying the latest state and regional Department of Transport and Main Roads figures painted a concerning picture for vulnerable road users, with distraction and driver complacency continuing to emerge as common factors in serious crashes.[3]
“What we’re continuing to see both in the data and in practice is a concerning level of inattention on our roads,” Mr Spinda said.
“Many of these crashes are not caused by reckless speeding, but by ordinary moments where drivers fail to properly observe vulnerable road users around them. Even a split-second lapse in concentration can permanently change someone’s life.”
Motorcycles account for only around one in every 20 registered vehicles in Queensland, yet riders continue to be significantly overrepresented in fatal and serious injury crashes.[4]
“Riders are smaller, less visible and far more exposed than other road users, which means drivers need to be actively looking for them every time they approach an intersection, merge, turn or change lanes,” Mr Spinda said.
“Motorcyclists also have very little protection when things go wrong, which means even low-speed collisions can result in catastrophic or life-changing injuries.”
Long-time rider and Witta resident Francis Pichelin knows how quickly life can change on the road. The now 66-year-old was travelling through a hinterland intersection near Maleny last year when a vehicle allegedly slowed at a stop sign before pulling into his path.
Riding under the speed limit at the time, Mr Pichelin suffered multiple serious injuries including spinal fractures, fractured ribs, leg fracture, nerve damage and ongoing shoulder injuries requiring reconstructive surgery.
“I had right of way, but they just didn’t stop or see me,” Mr Pichelin said.
“When a car and a motorcycle collide, the motorcyclist always comes off worse.”
Following almost three months in hospital, Mr Pichelin remains unable to return to work and continues to undergo treatment and attend specialist appointments.
“I used to work in a bakery lifting heavy bags of flour and sugar, but physically I can’t do that anymore,” Mr Pichelin said.
“I was also planning to travel around Australia on my bike and camp along the way, but now getting into a tent is difficult because I can’t get down on my knees properly.
“Recovery has been slow and exhausting. You spend months going between hospitals, specialists and rehabilitation just trying to get parts of your life back.”
Mr Pichelin, who has ridden motorcycles since he was 16 years old, said drivers needed to pay more attention to riders on the roads.
“Many motorists still aren’t actively looking for us,” Mr Pichelin said.
“Drivers need to stop being distracted by all the gadgets and everything inside the car and properly pay attention to the road – please stop, look up and see us.”
Mr Spinda said National Road Safety Week was an important reminder that road safety was everyone’s responsibility.
“This National Road Safety Week, we’re urging Sunshine Coast drivers to slow down, stay alert and actively look for motorcyclists every time they get behind the wheel.”
[1] Brisbane’s road toll sits at 13 according to the latest Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) data.
[2] Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Latest weekly road fatality report, year to date to 11 May, https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/road-safety-statistics/resource/a5f24a26-f29b-4963-97ab-4d67a95836a5
North Coast – which includes the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Wide Bay Burnett – road toll currently up 0 per cent on the same period last year, and 15.7 per cent above the five-year average, with 28 lives lost on North Coast roads so far this year.
[3] Queensland’s broader road toll also continues to trend above previous years, with fatalities currently sitting 24 deaths higher than the same time last year. Queensland recorded its highest annual road toll in 16 years in 2025, with 307 fatalities, while RACQ reports that for every road death, an additional 30 people suffer serious injuries.
[4] StreetSmarts Queensland, “Motorcycles: Get the Facts”, Queensland Government: https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/motorcycles/
Media contact: Trudie Abel, Fresh PR & Marketing | 0408 119 443 | trudie@freshprm.com.au
About Travis Schultz & Partners
Travis Schultz & Partners was established in 2018 by founding Managing Partner Travis Schultz on the guiding values of fairness, respect and expertise. Today, the award-winning, nationally recognised compensation law firm is home to Queensland’s largest team of Personal Injury Accredited Specialists among its more than 70 staff. The firm services clients across the state from offices in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Cairns. www.schultzlaw.com.au
