Published | 21 January 2026
Tasmania has recorded the largest increase in road deaths in Australia, prompting the state’s peak mobility body to call on all Tasmanians to take immediate action to improve road safety.
The call comes following new data from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) showing a 41.9 per cent increase in road deaths in the 12 months to 31 December 2025 — the biggest increase in the nation and far exceeding the national increase of 1.7 per cent.
General Manager Advocacy and Government Relations, Melinda Percival, said worryingly, the data shows rising deaths among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.
“These are more than just statistics, they are human lives that have been tragically and needlessly cut short,” Ms Percival said.
“We welcome the Government’s calls for an urgent community-wide reset because inaction is costing lives and everyone has a responsibility to do better on our roads.”
The AAA data shows that in Tasmania, over the 12 months to 31 December 2025, compared with the previous corresponding period:
Total road deaths increased by 41.9 per cent (compared with a 1.7 per cent increase nationally) – the biggest increase in Australia
18 driver deaths, up 12.5 per cent (down 2.6 per cent nationally) – the biggest increase in Australia
8 passenger deaths, up 14.3 per cent (up 2.5 per cent nationally)
5 pedestrian deaths, up 25 per cent (up 13.2 per cent nationally)
12 motorcyclist deaths, up 200 per cent (down 4.3 per cent nationally) – the biggest increase in Australia
One cyclist death, the first since February 2022 (up 32.4 per cent nationally)
Road deaths per 100,000 residents: 7.6, compared with the national rate of 4.8, making Tasmania second only to the Northern Territory and up from 5.4 in 2024
Ms Percival said many of these tragedies were linked to preventable behaviours, including speeding, distraction, fatigue and driving under the influence.
“We’re calling on everyone to start conversations around safer driving habits and to take personal responsibility every time they get behind the wheel,” Ms Percival 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.
“These conversations, and the everyday actions we take, can help save lives,” Ms Percival said.
Ms Percival said young people continue to be consistently overrepresented in the road toll.
“That’s why we’re focused on educating young drivers and co-designing a ground-breaking youth road safety education program, delivered in partnership with the Government,” she said.
“By investing in our young people, we hope to break the cycle of road trauma that continues to tear families and communities apart.”