Every day, four people are killed and 80 are seriously injured on Australia’s roads. On this account, Australian Transport Ministers have asked the heads of transport and road agencies around the country to prepare a new 10-year National Road Safety Strategy for the period from 2011 to 2020. The new strategy is intended to set an ambitious long-term vision for road safety improvement in Australia and to guide national action over the coming decade. The draft ‘National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020’ has now been unveiled. It contains a range of initiatives and interventions in four key areas – safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe people.
The draft strategy outlines broad directions for the future of Australian road safety, proposed initiatives for the first three years and a range of options for further consideration as the strategy progresses. Transport and roads agency Chief Executives invite the community’s feedback on any aspect of the strategy. According to National Transport Commission (NTC) Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos, the release of the paper is a crucial step towards reducing death and serious injury on Australia’s roads.
“The social and economic impact of this loss of lives and injury rate is devastating,” he said. “Australia has a strong track record in road safety, but these statistics tell us that more needs to be done. The NTC has long been an advocate for a safe systems approach to road safety and we’re encouraged by the focus on this in the strategy.”
A safe systems approach would include taking a holistic view of all the factors which influence safety, Mr Dimopoulos said. “We have to consider the quality of roads and roadsides, producing safer vehicles and ensuring people comply with speed limits. A focus on driver behaviour and compliance systems is also essential. The NTC will be making a submission on this important strategy and we encourage others with an interest in road safety to have their say.”
The consultation period closes on 11 February 2011. Following this consultation period, the draft strategy will be reviewed and finalised for consideration by the Australian Transport Council (ATC). The Council includes all Australian, state and territory government ministers with responsibility for transport. “It is only by tackling road safety holistically and at a national level that we will truly be able to make a significant reduction to death and serious injury on our roads,” Nick Dimopoulos added. The draft strategy and details on how to lodge feedback can be found on the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website.
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