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Queensland has passed new laws increasing penalties for dangerous driving, drink and drug driving, extreme speeding and other high-risk behaviour on the state’s roads. Photo: QPS
Queensland has passed new laws increasing penalties for dangerous driving, drink and drug driving, extreme speeding and other high-risk behaviour on the state’s roads.
The Criminal Code (Dangerous Driving) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 will replace existing dangerous driving offences with a four-category framework covering motor vehicles and alternative modes of transport.
The reforms increase maximum prison terms to up to seven years for some offences where no death or grievous bodily harm occurs, and up to 25 years where death or grievous bodily harm results.
Minimum licence disqualification periods will also increase, with tougher consequences for serious, aggravated and repeat offending.
Mandatory imprisonment will apply in a broader range of circumstances for serious and repeat dangerous driving offences.
Separate changes under the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 will also take effect from 1st December.
Drug-driving penalties will double, while combined drink and drug-driving offences will attract stronger penalties and minimum court-imposed fines.
Drivers caught travelling more than 40km/h over the speed limit will face an immediate six-month licence suspension.
Seatbelt enforcement will also change, allowing drivers to nominate adult passengers so responsibility can be assigned to the appropriate person.
Further changes in 2027 will streamline roadside drug testing and introduce a mandatory drug-driving education program for repeat offenders.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the reforms targeted behaviours contributing to road deaths.
“Queensland’s road toll has been trending upwards for far too long, and our laws target the behaviours killing people on our roads,” he said.
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