Whether you’re road-tripping through country towns or heading to the Sunshine Coast, there’s a lot to love about travelling on Queensland’s roads. But there’s no denying that dangerous driving on those roads impacts many Queenslanders and visitors every year.1 Or that those who drive dangerously may be risking more than just their licence or a red light camera fine in Qld.1
In 2024, 302 lives were lost on Queensland roads – the state’s worst road toll since 2009, with speeding a factor in almost one in four of all fatalities.1
“And thousands more Queenslanders are now living with the lasting impacts of serious injuries caused by road trauma,” adds Dennis Walsh, Chief Engineer at Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).1
Running a red light is another major cause of road accidents in Queensland – which is why the TMR and Queensland Police Service prioritise the placement of combined red light and speed cameras in locations with the highest number of crashes.2 Advanced point-to-point speed cameras, able to monitor average speeds over longer distances, will also be rolled out in mid to late 2026, to target persistent speeding behaviour.1
Along with these measures to curb reckless driving and save lives, Queensland drivers also face some of the country’s harshest penalties for high-risk offences, with fines recently increased by a further 3.5% per cent.3
In this article, we break down what you need to know about penalties for dangerous or careless driving in the Sunshine State, including those for seatbelt, red light and mobile phone offences.
How much is a red light camera fine in Qld?
If you’re issued with a red light camera fine in Qld, you could pay $667 and have three demerit points added to your driving record.3 For comparison, you’d be fined $562 in New South Wales,4 $509 in Victoria5 and $300 in Western Australia6 for the same offence.
Reckless driving, negligent driving and careless driving in Queensland
Another common offence on Queensland roads is negligent driving, also known as careless driving, which means driving without due care and attention.7 A careless driving offence will net you three demerit points and a $667 fine.3
On the other hand, reckless driving or dangerous driving in Qld includes antisocial hooning behaviour such as street racing, weaving in and out of traffic, or generally, endangering others on the road.8
Dangerous driving penalties vary based on the severity of the offence. Cases where the driver doesn’t cause injury or death can incur a maximum fine of $33,380 or three years imprisonment.9 Dangerous drivers who evade police and cause death or injury to others may face a jail sentence of up to 20 years.10
Harsher penalties for repeat offences
In Queensland, some repeat offences attract steeper penalties. For example, if you’re booked for a mobile phone or seatbelt offence – or you’re caught speeding more than 20km/h over the limit –you’ll receive double demerits if the same offence is committed again within 12 months of a previous incident.11
Reporting a driver for dangerous driving
Dangerous drivers create unnecessary risks on our roads. If you see someone hooning, racing, ignoring road rules or engaging in other reckless driving, you can help keep others on the road safe by reporting a driver for dangerous driving.
If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). Otherwise, you can report careless driving or dangerous driving in Qld online or by calling 13 HOON (13 46 66).8
Other high-risk and reckless driving offences in Qld
Penalties for unsafe behaviour go beyond dangerous driving and red light camera fines in Qld. Here are some of the other serious penalties you should be aware of.
Seatbelt offences and penalties in Qld
Not buckled up? Then buckle in for a hefty penalty. In Queensland, seatbelt offences – if you’re the driver – could earn you a whopping $1,251 fine and four demerit points.3
You can also be fined the same amount if a passenger isn’t wearing the correct seatbelt or appropriate child restraint – and if the passenger’s aged over 16, they’ll be fined too.3
For context, the location with the next highest penalty for not wearing a seatbelt is the Australian Capital Territory. There, you’ll be fined $574 and given three demerit points for not wearing a seatbelt while you’re driving.12
Speeding offences and penalties in Qld
Penalties for speeding vary depending on how far over the legal speed limit a driver is travelling. Current penalties are:
- Exceeding the speed limit by less than 11km/h: $333 and one demerit point3
- 11km/h to 20km/h over the limit: $500 and three demerits3
- 21km/h to 30km/h over the limit: $751 and four demerits3
- 31km/h to 40km/h over the limit: $1,251 and six demerits3
- More than 40km/h over the limit: $1,919 and eight demerits,3 along with an automatic six-month licence suspension.13
Mobile phone offences and penalties in Qld
Driving safely means giving the road your full attention. In Queensland, it’s illegal to hold a mobile phone or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap or shoulder, when driving. This applies even if the phone isn’t turned on.14
And, while full and P2 licence holders are allowed to touch a mobile phone for hands-free use while driving if it’s in a cradle attached to the car, learner and P1 drivers are not.14
If you commit a mobile phone offence behind the wheel, you risk a fine of $1,251 and four demerit points.14
In 2021, Queensland brought in mobile phone and seatbelt cameras to help prevent this type of negligent driving behaviour. In the first year alone, more than 119,000 people were caught using their phones while driving.15 Since then, the rate of mobile phone non-compliance fines issued has fallen each year, suggesting camera detection technology is working to change this dangerous driving habit.16
As with red light cameras, mobile phone detection camera locations in Qld are picked based on where previous crashes have occurred. With both fixed and portable cameras in action across the state, enforcement can happen anywhere, anytime on Queensland roads.17
“Your choices on the road could save a life or take one,” says Craig Hawkins, Sunshine Coast District Officer Superintendent for Queensland Police.18
“You make an intentional decision to use your phone, not use a seatbelt or drive tired, (so) please stop and think about the consequences these decisions may have on yourself, your future, your loved ones, and other road users before you act on them.”18
Traffic camera fines when you weren’t the driver
Received a penalty such as a speeding or red light camera fine in Qld when you weren’t behind the wheel?
You can transfer a fine to someone else via an online form or a statutory declaration, as long as it’s within 28 days of the date on the notice.19
Hooning offences and penalties in Qld
Hooning refers to any antisocial behaviour in a motor vehicle, such as street racing, burnouts, speeding or other reckless driving. The Sunshine State has some of the toughest anti-hooning laws in Australia and continues to strengthen legislation to help crack down on offenders and prevent dangerous driving in Qld.20
Penalties for hooning vary. For instance, creating excessive noise or smoke while driving attracts a fine of up to $3,338, while the penalty for careless driving or street racing could see you fined up to $6,676 or slapped with a six-month jail sentence.20
But that’s not all. Queensland Police also have the power to impound, immobilise and confiscate vehicles used in hooning offences.19/20And, in 2023, it also became an offence to organise, promote or spectate at a group hooning activity.21
At the time when the updated anti-hoon laws were passed, the then-Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll stressed that "dangerous driving and hooning-related behaviour not only endanger the lives of those behind the wheel, but they also put innocent members [of] the public at risk".21
Can high-risk and reckless driving offences affect your car insurance?
Offences related to risky, dangerous or negligent driving could also potentially make a difference when it comes to getting your car insured.
“If you’ve accumulated demerit points from repeated high-risk offences, such as running a red light or engaging in dangerous driving, your insurance premium could be higher.” explains Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
That’s because insurance companies typically assess your risk profile based on several factors, which may include your driving record (such as the number of demerit points you’ve accrued), along with your age, the make and model of your car and where you live, says Jackson – and you’re required to answer honestly under Australian law.
While Queensland’s strict driving laws are there to promote safety for all road users, Youi is here to help cover your car. Explore our range of car insurance options to find out if they’re right for you.
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of October 2025 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant Government websites for updates if this information is important to you.
1 Source: Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads – Queensland Government boosts road safety enforcement to help save lives, August 2025
2 Source: Qld Government – Types of speed cameras and red light cameras, July 2021
3 Source: Qld Government – Demerit points schedule, July 2025
4 Source: NSW Government – Search offences and penalties
5 Source: Vic Government – Road safety camera fine amounts and demerit points, July 2025
6 Source: WA Government – Red Lights, Intersections and Pedestrian Crossings, May 2024
7 Source: Legal Aid Queensland – Traffic offences, April 2025
8 Source: Qld Government – Report a dangerous driver, December 2020
9 Source: Qld Sentencing Advisory Council – Sentencing DataHub
10 Source: The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory – Miles Doing What Matters: Dangerous drivers set to cop up to 20 years under new laws passed by Queensland Parliament, August 2024
11 Source: Qld Government – Double demerit points, January 2024
12 Source: ACT Government – Road Transport (Offences) Regulation 2005, July 2025
13 Source: Qld Government – High speed licence suspension, November 2023
14 Source: Qld Government – Driving and mobile phones, July 2025
15 Source: Qld Government – 170k Queenslanders caught in first year of phone and seatbelt cameras, December 2022
16 Source: Australian Government – Police enforcement, August 2025
17 Source: Qld Government – Mobile phone and seatbelt cameras, September 2024
18 Source: Qld Police – Queensland Road Safety Week, Sunshine Coast, August 2025
19 Source: Qld Government – How to transfer a fine, September 2025
20 Source: Qld Government – Hooning, August 2024
21 Source: Qld Government – Tough new hoon laws pass Queensland Parliament, April 2023
