MORE than one in four young Queenslanders admit driving without a seatbelt, while almost a quarter have driven under the influence of drugs, according to new RACQ research revealing a rise in risky behaviour behind the wheel.
RACQ’s 2026 Annual Road Safety Survey found 28 per cent of Queenslanders aged 18–24 had driven unrestrained in the past year, up nine percentage points from 2025.
The proportion admitting to drug driving also jumped from 15.9 per cent to 22.8 per cent. While fewer young motorists admitted speeding than last year, 63.2 per cent still confessed to exceeding the speed limit.
RACQ Executive Manager Road Safety Josh Cooney said the results were particularly concerning given young drivers remained overrepresented in serious and fatal crashes.
“In 2025, P-plate drivers and riders were involved in 10% of deaths on Queensland roads,” he said.
RACQ is calling for stronger roadside enforcement, including more random breath and drug tests, and mandatory drug testing at crash sites.