Queensland has recorded a "horrific number" of road deaths in the year since the state's borders reopened as several states report concerning rises in fatalities.
The number of people killed on Australian roads had already reached 1191 by November 30, according to federal figures, but is set to rise further as states finalise December statistics.
Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Stream confirmed the state's road toll jumped to 299 in 2022, up from 277 the previous year.
He said the highest road toll in 13 years occurred amid a rise in risky driving behaviour and people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs since state border controls and other pandemic restrictions eased.
"We had 299 persons lose their lives across Queensland, which is a horrific number to talk about," Supt Stream told reporters on Sunday
"So we have not seen figures similar to that since 2009 when we lost 331 lives and as I said, this is a horrific number to confirm."
He said the statistics were more than numbers.
"They are people's lives that are lost and largely the majority of those accidents were in fact preventable," he said.
Supt Stream said police would redouble their efforts to reduce the road toll in 2023 but the state had already recorded its first death after a man was killed in a collision at Bauple, south of Maryborough, on Sunday morning.
Tasmania's road toll also jumped, with 50 deaths in 2022, up by 15 from the previous year, and 255 serious injuries.
State Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the sobering statistics showed the challenges Tasmania faced to achieve a goal of zero deaths and injuries on its roads.
"We know the impact of these deaths affects families, friends and entire communities," he said in a statement on Sunday.
"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these tragedies, particularly as the absence of loved ones is especially felt during the Christmas season."
In Victoria, the number of people killed on the state's roads last year rose to 240, up from 233 in 2021, with more than half of all fatal accidents in regional areas.
More than two-thirds of regional deaths happened on roads with speed limits of 100-100km/h and 27 per cent of those killed were not wearing a seatbelt.
Victorian Transport Accident Commission acting chief Liz Cairns urged drivers to put safety first in the coming year.
"Sadly, more than 240 families are starting this year missing a loved one who lost their life on our roads in 2022," she said in a statement.
"It's tragic, it's avoidable and we need all Victorians to make safe choices and play a role in turning it around."
ROAD DEATH TOLL BY JURISDICTION IN 2022:
* Queensland: 299, up from 277
* Victoria: 240, up from 233
* Tasmania: 50, up from 35
