IT SEEMS Southerrn Downs motorists have a need for speed and it is costing lives.

A 2015 Transport and Main Roads survey found southern region residents were more likely to speed during the day in fine conditions.

The survey also showed central Queensland drivers were more likely to justify speeding than those in other parts of the state; south-eastern Queenslanders believed they should be allowed to drive or ride at 65kmh in 60kmh zones; and northern Queenslanders were more likely than the rest of the state to speed when overtaking or driving on rural roads.

In the Southern Downs four people died and at least eight people were seriously injured in speed-related crashes from January 2008 to December 2015.

Australian Regional Media, publisher of the Daily News, is working with the Queensland Government to reduce speed-related crashes through a safe driving campaign.

The campaign focuses on increasing awareness of the risks associated with low-level speeding - up to 10kmh over the speed limit.

Southern policing region's Assistant Commissioner Tony Wright warned drivers to slow down or face some potentially devastating consequences.

"Put simply, the faster you drive the harder you hit and the more severe the injuries are likely to be, including death," he said.

"Over the Easter period, police will be running a statewide traffic enforcement operation as part of the Easter Road Safety Campaign.

"This operation is designed to minimise road trauma through a combination of highly visible and covert police patrols."

ARM NEWSDESK