Tasmania has recorded the biggest jump in road deaths in Australia, with fatalities up 42% on 2024.
New data from the Australian Automobile Association shows 44 people died on Tasmanian roads last year, up from 31 in 2024.
The increase far outstrips the national rise of just 1.7%.
Motorcyclists were hit hardest, with deaths tripling from four to 12.
Driver deaths rose 12.5% to 18, while passenger fatalities climbed 14% to eight.
Five pedestrians were killed, up 25% and one cyclist died – the first cycling death since February 2022.
Tasmania’s road death rate now sits at 7.6 per 100,000 residents, second only to the Northern Territory and well above the national rate of 4.8.
RACT general manager of advocacy Melinda Percival said the figures were devastating.
“These are more than just statistics, they are human lives that have been tragically and needlessly cut short,” she said.
Percival said many deaths were linked to preventable behaviours including speeding, distraction, fatigue and drink driving.
“We’re calling on everyone to start conversations around safer driving habits and to take personal responsibility every time they get behind the wheel,” she said.
“All drivers are being urged to put their phone away, stick to speed limits, never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol or when tired and always wear a seatbelt.”
Young drivers remain overrepresented in the toll, prompting RACT to develop a youth road safety program with the state government.
Infrastructure minister Kerry Vincent earlier this year said 2026 must be a turning point.
“Almost every Tasmanian is a road user, whether a driver, rider, passenger or pedestrian, which means every one of us has a role to play in making our roads safer,” he said.
Vincent urged Tasmanians to ditch the ‘Fatal Five’ – speeding, not wearing seatbelts, drink and drug driving, fatigue and inattention.
“Everyone has the power to make a safer choice in 2026,” he said.
