Queensland government raked in almost in $500 million in traffic fines last year

The Queensland government pocketed $464.3 million in fines from motorists in the 2024 financial year, despite the number of infringements reducing – and the cost of fines is about to go up again in July. 

According to The Courier Mail, nearly $465 million was added to the state’s coffers in 2023-2024, almost three times the $171.2 million it racked up in 2019-2020.  

That’s despite a fall of over 30 per cent in the number of speeding fines dished out, with 177,018 infringements issued in 2024 compared to 254,370 in 2020.

Red light offences also fell – albeit by a smaller amount – with 26,783 drivers booked compared to 28,372 four years ago.

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The most money was raised by low-level speeding fines, with motorists driving between 1-10km/h over the speed limit slapped with a $322 fine. 

That compares to $145 in New South Wales (NSW) and $240 in Victoria. 

The Queensland government says it has increased the cost of fines in line with inflation, with the next rise set for July 1, 2025. 

It will see the penalty for driving while using a mobile phone rise from the current $1210 to $1252, for example. 

The significant growth in revenue is not only hurting the hip pockets of Queensland motorists amid the cost of living crisis, but also comes as the state’s road toll continues to increase. 

In 2024, road fatalities across Queensland increased 10.2 per cent to 302 deaths, with the latest rolling 12-month figures recording a 1.7 per cent rise to 292.

The figures mean the number of deaths on Queensland’s roads is rising faster than the national average of 0.9 per cent, and is the second highest raw number nationally behind NSW (348 deaths). 

“The best way to avoid a fine is to not speed or commit traffic offences,” RACQ head of public policy, Michael Kane, told The Courier Mail.