ACRS Patron: His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
 

2016 Federal Election

Increasing road deaths and injuries lead the Australian community to ask:

WHERE ARE THE POLITICAL PARTIES' ROAD SAFETY POLICIES?
 

Australasian College of Road Safety president, Mr Lauchlan McIntosh AM, said today that the Australian community deserves substantial pre-election road safety policies, particularly in light of the increasing numbers of people dying and being seriously injured on Australian roads.
 
"Recently the Australian community has been experiencing a disturbing upward trend in road trauma for both deaths and serious injuries (Australian Automobile Association, 2016). Despite the efforts of many road safety stakeholders, Federal government figures show that during the 12 months ended May 2016 there were 1,275 road deaths. This is a 9.8 per cent increase compared to the prior 12 months (BITRE). This has occurred when we have a National Strategy and Action Plan to reduce deaths and injuries from crashes by 30% over the decade (Australian Transport Council, 2011).
 

Figure 1: National Snapshot – Australian Road Fatalities per year
(Australian Automobile Association, 2016)

 
"This increase in road trauma translates to many more daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, grandparents and extended families who are facing unnecessary devastation through road trauma.  This is compounded by the damage to our communities and workplaces that are left to deal with the fallout of the social costs of well over 33,000 deaths and serious injuries each year".
 
"We shouldn't forget that this road trauma also places a preventable yet increasing burden on our economy. In 2011, Federal government estimates put the annual cost of road trauma to the economy at $27b – more than the size of the Defence Budget.  We need to see policies to reduce this major burden, with support for the many stakeholder groups already working so hard to reduce the trauma. The additional costs of the recent increase will be felt across the economy."
 
"We have seen a marked increase in collaborative actions between stakeholders over the last several years, particularly through Australia's support for road trauma reductions incorporated into the recent United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, an emphasis on rigorous evidence-based programs, creation of award programs recognising road safety excellence, and unprecedented support for events such as the Australasian Road Safety Conference. We now need all parties in the Australian government to support this revival in enthusiasm and provide the leadership we so desperately need to underpin our collective efforts."
 
"Instead of seeing ad hoc reactive handouts coming every time there's an election, each political party needs to have a solid policy showing leadership in the road safety space – with a program to reduce crashes, support safer roads, safer vehicles and safer drivers, and importantly to provide collaborative leadership to ensure we have scale and not duplication in our programs. Smart, innovative programs and technologies, as well as consistent funding is necessary." he said.
 
"At the last federal election we saw policies from all major parties, but they have been absent to date.  With so many families and workers continuing to deal with the fall-out from road trauma, the Australian community deserves to see comprehensive policies from all parties, to rapidly put Australia back into world class road safety performance".
 
 
Ends

About the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS):  The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is the region’s peak membership association for road safety professionals, advocates, and members of the public who are focused on saving lives and serious injuries on our roads.  The College provides a rich, collaborative environment promoting communication, networking, professionalism & advocacy across all spheres of road safety – including policy, advocacy, research, application & dissemination. ACRS membership includes experts from across all areas of road safety: policy makers, academics, community organisations, researchers, federal, state and local government agencies, private companies and members of the public. (www.acrs.org.au)

Sources:

1. Benchmarking the Performance of the NRSS – March 2016: Australian Automobile Association
2. Road Deaths Australia Monthly Bulletin May 2016: BITRE, Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
3. National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020: Australian Transport Council (2011).

 

 
Contacts:            
Lauchlan McIntosh, ACRS National President - Mobile:  0418 424 886
Claire Howe, Executive Officer, ACRS - Mobile:  0402 418 123

Further Details:
ACRS Website: www.acrs.org.au