There has been an increase in road fatalities this year, with statistics showing a significant average increase.
According to latest figures from the National Road Safety Data Hub, 103 people died on Australian roads in February 2026 alone, a figure 6.8 percent higher than the five-year February average.
Over the 12 months ending February 2026, total fatalities reached 1,336 deaths, representing a 4.4 percent increase, up on the previous year.
Shoalhaven City Council spokesperson Aidan Groves believes road safety has lost its significance.
“People are just reckless and do not care for themselves or others when getting behind the wheel,” Mr Groves said.
“With the safety measures implemented in every car and the road rules there for the people’s safety, its concerning the amount of lives we lose on roads.”
Early figures from 2026 has suggested that the upward trend may continue. From January to February there were 210 deaths nationwide, compared to 191 during the same period in 2025, representing a noticeable increase in fatalities early in the year.
Road deaths in Australia have steadily increased over the past year, with fatalities rising to more than 1,300 nationwide.
The national road toll has climbed consistently over the past 12 months, highlighting growing concerns among safety experts.
Source: National Road Safety Hub
The state-by-state figures have revealed that there are significant disparities across the nation, with the highest death tolls occurring in the state of New South Wales.
In the early months of 2026, New South Wales had the highest death toll with 58 deaths in February, which is an increase of 45 percent from the previous year’s figures.
This implies that while there have been improvements in certain states, there are others that are experiencing dramatic increases.
Road fatalities across Australian states have revealed that New South Wales recorded the highest number of deaths in the past year, followed by Queensland and Victoria.
Source: National Road Safety Hub
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said in a report that young drivers were most at risk.
“Sleep-deprived young parents, shift workers and young drivers are all at particular risk and the impact of fatigued driving is more likely to happen close to home or on a daily drive,” Mr Khoury said.
The increased road tolls in Australia have made it even more imperative that effective road safety regulations be implemented.
Image: Hugh Regan
