Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that a significant number of near misses and preventable crashes occur during daylight hours, dawn, and dusk due to vehicles being insufficiently visible to other road users. Despite modern advances in vehicle technology, many vehicles still operate without headlights engaged, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of collisions.

Your petitioners note that many jurisdictions around the world have adopted the use of Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) or mandatory headlight use at all times, which has led to measurable reductions in road trauma. With the growing prevalence of smart vehicle systems, Queensland has an opportunity to lead in proactive road safety measures.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to amend the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 to require that headlights or daytime running lights be illuminated at all times while a vehicle is in operation on a public road, and to introduce a phased requirement that all new vehicles sold in Queensland by 2030 (or by the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games) include automated headlight activation as a standard feature.