As Far North Queensland’s road toll continues to climb – with fatalities across the region up 100 per cent on the same period last year – a Cairns compensation lawyer is warning older people are becoming increasingly vulnerable on regional roads.

The warning comes ahead of National Road Safety Week (17–24 May), with fatalities involving senior road users aged 75 and over now tracking more than 50 per cent above both the state’s five-year average and the same time last year.[1]

Personal injury lawyer Beth Rolton, Partner at Travis Schultz & Partners, said the region’s ageing population, increasing tourism traffic and challenging driving conditions were creating a dangerous mix on Far North roads.

“We’re seeing older Queenslanders increasingly exposed to risk on our roads, both as drivers and pedestrians,” Ms Rolton said.

“Many remain active and independent later in life – walking regularly, travelling throughout regional communities and continuing to drive well into retirement.

“We’re seeing more older people travelling with large caravans and towing vehicles on unfamiliar regional roads, particularly in sought-after destinations like ours. With more than 900,000 caravans now on Australian roads, the volume of grey nomads travelling through regions like Far North Queensland continues to grow.[2]

“In our region, we also have long-distance driving and busy tourism traffic all intersecting, while rising fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures are putting more locals on foot. Recent data shows almost 80 per cent of Queenslanders now walk in a typical week.”[3]

Ms Rolton said alongside older road users, pedestrians were also emerging as an increasingly vulnerable road user group, with the Department of Transport and Main Roads data showing 38 pedestrian deaths in 2025 – the highest level in five years – and fatalities now sitting 33 per cent above both annual and long-term averages.[4]

“Older pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, often suffering life-changing injuries even in lower-speed incidents,” Ms Rolton said.

“In one recent matter we acted in, a 70-year-old man was struck while using a pedestrian crossing near a busy intersection at dusk during wet weather conditions.”

Ms Rolton said the incident reflected a broader trend emerging across the region.

“These incidents often occur in very ordinary, everyday environments – people walking home, crossing familiar roads or drivers simply trying to get home after work,” Ms Rolton said.

“In busy traffic, drivers can become focused on finding gaps in traffic or making turns and fail to properly observe pedestrians, particularly in poor weather or dim lighting conditions.

“We need drivers to slow down, stay vigilant and actively watch for pedestrians, particularly older pedestrians who may not be able to move quickly out of danger.”

With Queensland’s road toll continuing to track above previous years, Ms Rolton said National Road Safety Week was an important reminder for motorists to remain alert.

“People become complacent because they’re travelling familiar routes or simply focused on getting home. But one split second of distraction can have life-changing consequences, particularly for vulnerable road users,” Ms Rolton said.

[1] 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 

Far North Queensland’s road toll currently up 100 per cent on the same period last year, while North Queensland has recorded a 133 per cent increase, with a combined 13 lives already lost on regional roads so far this year.

[2] Tourism Research Australia, Caravan and Camping Data, 2025 “Caravan and campervan registrations across the nation have steadily grown over the last decade with almost 938,000 registered in 2025. This was a 32% increase in registrations since 2019 and an all-time record”: https://www.tra.gov.au/en/tourism-statistics/caravan-and-camping-data

[3] CWANZ Walking and Cycling Participation Survey, Queensland 2025: https://www.cwanz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/251001-CWANZ-National-Walking-and-Cycling-Participation-Survey-Report-QLD.pdf

[4] 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 

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