The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is alarmed by escalating road trauma across Australia, and by the Federal Government’s continued inaction. In 2024, 1,300 people were killed on Australian roads – the highest number since 20121. This marks the fourth consecutive year of rising fatalities, a trend not seen since the 1970’s, before road safety strategies like mandatory seatbelt laws, random breath testing, and speed cameras significantly reduced road deaths2. Australia once led the world in these life saving measures but is now falling behind.
Over the past decade, road fatalities have increased relentlessly. In 2014, a federal government report2 forecast rising levels of road deaths and injuries ‘unless previous measures were ramped up and/or new road safety measures brought into play’. Despite such warnings and clear recommendations, the Federal Government continues to ignore the escalating road safety problem. Their failure to take decisive action is allowing this crisis to worsen, putting more Australians at risk every day.
Disappointingly, Minister Catherine King has also decided that no political representation is required at the upcoming 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. This decision highlights the troubling lack of commitment to addressing and collaborating on road trauma issues.
“Every person in Australia deserves to walk, cycle, drive, and travel safely on our roads, without the ever-present threat of being killed or seriously injured,” said Dr Ingrid Johnston, CEO of the ACRS. “The Federal Government must step-up, prioritise road safety as a national issue, align with global initiatives, and, most importantly, take action on evidence-based measures to save lives.”
The ACRS urges the Federal Government to lead on road safety and prioritise increased funding to Local Governments to enhance their capacity to address road safety challenges, a critical issue for the upcoming Federal election. Despite managing over 75% of the nation’s road network, often in high-risk areas, Local Governments often lack the resources to implement proven safety interventions such as infrastructure upgrades, pedestrian safety enhancements, and effective speed management measures.
Investing in Local Governments through appropriate funding and enhancing the skills and capacity of their road safety professionals are cost-effective, evidence-based approaches to improving road safety achieving national targets3. Directed funding, increased professional resources, and a collaborative national framework will empower Local Governments to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, ultimately saving lives.
ACRS urges Minister King to:
- Reconsider its decision to have no Federal political representation at the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety.
- Invest in Local Government capacity to manage road safety through increased access to resources.
- Fully implement road safety strategies to ensure the safety of all road users.
Road safety is a national imperative. The Federal Government’s inaction sends a concerning message about the value of those killed and injured from road trauma and the urgency of protecting Australians’ wellbeing.
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