At least 20 killed on Australian roads in horror Easter weekend

At least 20 people have been killed on Australian roads this Easter long weekend, with thousands still to travel home on busy highways tonight.

The number of people killed on the roads this Easter has spiralled in comparison to last year's long weekend total of just six fatalities.

By 3pm (AEST), New South Wales had recorded the most fatalities in the country, with six deaths, including a young child who was one of three people killed when a car left the road and hit a tree.

READ MORE: Sydney driver racks up 200 demerit points for using phone

Five people have been killed on Victorian roads, and four in Queensland.

There were two deaths in Western Australia and one person killed in South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory.

Police are worried that heavy rainfall set to strike southeast Queensland tonight will cause hazardous driving conditions, as thousands depart the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast and drive home.

The high number of fatalities this year has surpassed the 19 people killed on Australian roads over Easter in 2019.

The low figure recorded last year, just six deaths, may have partly been the result of fewer people travelling, because of the national coronavirus lockdown.

Over the four-day Easter weekend in 2018 and 2017, 13 and 12 people were killed on the roads, respectively.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb said all of the deaths on her state's roads this Easter were tragic but appeared avoidable.

READ MORE: Child among three in hospital after suspected chemical leak

"One death is one too many," she said.

The four fatal Easter crashes on NSW roads were still under investigation, Ms Webb said, "but what's clear is that they're preventable."

She urged people travelling home from their holidays this evening to not speed and to drive to the conditions.

Police want motorists to put their mobile phones down and pay attention to the road.

Some states and territories have implemented double demerit points over Easter to try and stop dangerous driving.

Queensland Police today have also promised to track down hundreds of drivers who attended an alleged hooning event at Pimapama Bunnings on the Gold Coast last night.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder confirmed around 600 vehicles were now under investigation.

The gathering descended into chaos, with a police patrol car smashed and a cameraman in the firing line.

Mr Rohweder said "many" suspected offenders can "expect a visit from the police" over the next week.

"The end of result will be them watching their vehicles being put up on a tow truck and taken away," he said.

9News could not confirm road fatalities in Australian Capital Territory at the time of publication.