WAKE UP CALL ON ROAD SAFETY

In another wake up call for Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on road safety, his own Department authored a report critical of the lack of Commonwealth leadership to drive down road trauma.

The key finding of the Review of National Road Safety Governance was that the Commonwealth “has not provided strong leadership, coordination or advocacy on road safety to drive national trauma reductions”.

It is tragic that Australia’s road toll is higher today than it was four years ago: 1,214 people died on Australian roads in the 12 months to 30 June 2019 – compared to a 12-month toll of 1,170 at the end of June 2015.

Australians are rightly demanding national action now.

Eight years into the 10 year National Road Safety Strategy and analysis from the Australian Automobile Association found 24 of the 33 indicators will not be met.

In addition, 8 of the indicators still cannot be measured including one of the two headline targets - reducing serious injuries by 30 percent.

It has been over 10 months since the Morrison Government received the independent inquiry into the NRSS from Professor Woolley and Dr Crozier.

The Review of National Road Safety Governance is one of the few recommendations to be actioned.

The Review examined whether Australia has the appropriate governance arrangements in place to deliver the commitments made by governments to mainstream road safety in line with the Safe System Approach.

The Review also identified ways for the Australian Government to work in partnership with state, territory and local governments to bring down the number of road deaths and serious injuries.

On 2 August 2019, the Review was endorsed for publication by the Transport Infrastructure Council.