9 April 2026
With more people out on foot as school holidays begin – driven in part by rising fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures – Brisbane is being urged to take extra care as pedestrian deaths surge to a five-year high, jumping 60 per cent in just two years.[1]
According to TMR data, 38 pedestrian deaths were recorded in Queensland in 2025 – the highest level in five years – with 2026 figures already tracking in line with that record, after nine deaths were recorded in the first three months of the year.
Special Counsel Sarah Grace of Travis Schultz & Partners said the rise reflects a “walking boom” across Brisbane, with both economic and lifestyle factors at play, in line with data showing around 78 per cent of Queenslanders walk in a typical week.[2]
“Brisbane streets are busier, particularly in inner-city pockets, and we’re seeing more people on foot in places that didn’t used to have that level of activity,” Ms Grace said.
“Rising fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures are pushing more people to walk or cycle, while increased use of public transport – including discounted fares – is also driving more foot traffic around stations and stops.”
At the same time, lifestyle shifts are putting more people on foot, with nearly half of Australian households now owning a dog and higher-density living concentrating activity into smaller areas across Brisbane.[3]
“We’re seeing more activity in suburban streets that were once considered quiet, with more people out walking their dogs at all times of day,” Ms Grace said.
“At the same time, more people are living in apartments, so that foot traffic is more concentrated, increasing interaction between pedestrians and vehicles in spaces that weren’t designed for it.”
Ms Grace said her team is seeing a clear increase in pedestrian-related incidents, particularly in areas that were previously considered low-traffic.
“We’re seeing people hit in driveways, on suburban pathways, and in areas where drivers simply don’t expect pedestrians to be,” Ms Grace said.
“Driver distraction is playing a growing role, particularly in suburban and built-up areas where conditions have changed. Drivers need to assume there are more people around, even in places that used to be quiet – that means slowing down, staying alert, and driving for the conditions you’re in now, not what that street looked like five years ago.”
Ms Grace said legal outcomes are not always straightforward, with many pedestrians wrongly assuming they have right-of-way in all situations.
In one case, an elderly woman was struck while crossing in a busy café precinct in Brisbane’s west – a space designed for pedestrian activity but not legally recognised as a shared zone. Liability was denied, leaving her without access to rehabilitation support despite serious injuries.
“There’s a real gap between what people think the rules are and how the law actually operates,” Ms Grace said.
“We’re seeing situations where liability is disputed, insurers deny claims, and injured pedestrians are left without the support they need.”
The warning comes as school holidays begin following the Easter long weekend, with more families, children and older Australians expected to be out on foot.
Ms Grace said young people under 25 and older Australians are among the most vulnerable road users, with older pedestrians disproportionately represented in road fatalities.
“Children are unpredictable and older pedestrians are more vulnerable, which makes this period particularly high risk,” Ms Grace said.
“This isn’t just about highways – it’s about suburban streets, driveways and local areas where people don’t expect these incidents to happen.”
Ms Grace said greater awareness, lower speeds in high-density areas and better recognition of changing pedestrian patterns are critical to improving safety. “Brisbane has changed – how people move around has changed – but driver behaviour hasn’t kept up. Until it does, we will continue to see preventable injuries and fatalities.”
[1] Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Latest weekly road fatality report, year to date to 7 April, https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/road-safety-statistics/resource/a5f24a26-f29b-4963-97ab-4d67a95836a5
[2] 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
[3] Animal Medicines Australia. (2022). Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people. Retrieved from https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AMAU008-Pet-Ownership22-Report_v1.6_WEB.pdf
Media contact: Trudie Abel, Fresh PR & Marketing | 0408 119 443 | trudie@freshprm.com.au
About spokesperson available:
www.schultzlaw.com.au/meet-your-team/sarah-grace/
Sarah Grace is a Special Counsel at Travis Schultz & Partners in Brisbane with nearly two decades’ experience in personal injury law and a recognised voice in Queensland’s compensation system. A former Queensland President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) and current Queensland Law Society (QLS) Councillor, she is regularly called on for her insight into claimant rights, compensation law and emerging injury trends. Known for offering a balanced perspective, Sarah provides commentary on legislative developments and reform debates shaping Queensland’s compensation landscape.
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
