Queensland is heading for its worst Easter road toll for more than two decades.
Eight people have been killed on the state's roads following the death of a motorcyclist in his forties who hit a concrete barrier at a roundabout in Edmonton, south of Cairns, just before midnight on Sunday.
The Queensland result was well above the 20 year average of three to three-and-a-half deaths over the holiday period, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said on Monday.
"Overwhelmingly, the message is that people have made some poor decisions," he said.
"Tragically, we've seen those decisions result in deaths on our roads."
Over the past two-and-a-half years, both injuries and fatal road crashes had been declining, he said.
"What we see this weekend is clearly a spike."
But Mr Keating said it was too early to say whether taking double demerit points from wayward drivers over the holiday period, as is the case in other states, would help.
"I'm not sure that would be the solution."
More than 300 people have been caught drink driving, compared to 370 last year.
But police have performed 30,000 fewer random breath tests - a change Mr Keating attributed to wet weather.
The highest drink driving reading was recorded at Coolum Beach where a driver blew 0.241 - close to five times the legal limit.
"My question is, where are their friends? Where was their family if they were with them?" Inspector Ivan Sikorsky asked.
"How dare they let them get behind the wheel or a car or a motorbike. They're just as guilty for that person either killing themselves on the road or injuring someone else."
Police have urged motorists returning from their holidays to drive with patience and courtesy.
The national Easter road toll stood at 17 on Monday afternoon.
(EDS: The Easter road toll figures are for the period 0001 April 2 to 2359 April 6)
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