Australia’s road toll increased 4.6% in the past 12 months, new data shows. Recent data reveals a surge in Australia’s road casualties, indicating 1,240 fatalities due to vehicular accidents in the past year – marking a 4.6% yearly spike. The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) disclosed on Sunday that the current year witnessed 1,240 road fatalities, an uptick from 1,186 the preceding year. Daily, over 100 individuals end up hospitalized due to road accidents. South Australia experienced the sharpest surge, with the death toll reaching 104 in the year leading up to September – marking a staggering 28.4% increase from the 81 casualties the prior year.New South Wales trailed closely with 340 recorded fatalities, which is a 17.2% jump from the preceding year’s 290. Western Australia noted 169 deaths, a 7% increase from the prior year’s 158. Meanwhile, Victoria registered 269 deaths, rising from 252 – a 6.7% upswing.
Conversely, certain regions saw a dip in road fatalities during the past year. Northern Territory witnessed a drop from 49 to 26, while the ACT reported nine, down from the prior 14. Tasmania’s toll stood at 33, descending from 48, and Queensland’s figures dropped marginally from 294 to 290. A plausible reason for this rise might be the surge in driving post-pandemic, coupled with evolving driver behaviours and the popularity of SUVs. Although SUVs tend to be safer for passengers, they pose heightened risks to other road users. The death toll for cyclists escalated by 30.3%, while pedestrian fatalities increased by 11.3%. This overall surge signifies Australia drifting away from its objective of halving road casualties by 2030 and eradicating road deaths for children aged seven or below. The prominent association highlights that annual death rates now exceed the target by 13%. Addressing the deteriorating road safety scenario, AAA initiated the “Data Saves Lives” campaign. This movement urges Transport Minister Catherine King to condition the federal government’s annual $10 billion road expenditures upon states and territories unveiling data regarding the deadliest roads. So far, safety assessments covering 450,000km of Australian roads have been executed using an international tool.
Michael Bradley, the AAA’s Managing Director, emphasized the crucial role of data transparency in enhancing safety. He asserted the necessity of scrutinizing underlying issues and promoting financial transparency to ensure the judicious use of taxpayer money. Bradley commented, “Australia’s prevailing road safety strategy is falling short. Transparent data is paramount to investigate the root causes of these shortcomings.” He also advocated for incorporating data-sharing stipulations in the forthcoming five-year National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects, slated to be operational from July 2024. To help address this hike in in road toll, Queensland motorists have been hit with an extra $87 million in speeding fines in the past year after the state government significantly hiked the penalties and changed the fine brackets.
The state government significantly increased the value of speeding fines last financial year as part of a new road safety strategy. Authorities gave out $332 million in speeding fines in 2022-23, which was a 35.7 per cent jump from the year before. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said penalties were increased to better deter dangerous driving behaviours. The government brought in the tougher penalties in July last year along with a new road safety strategy aimed at eliminating fatalities on Queensland roads by 2050. After the new penalties came into effect, authorities gave out $332 million in fines to speeding drivers in 2022-23 — the equivalent of $909,000 per day or $10.50 every single second. This was a 35.7 per cent jump from the $244.7 million in infringement notices issued in 2021-22, before the increased fines were introduced.
The Albanese Labor Government has announced a strategic initiative aimed at reinforcing infrastructure and ensuring heightened road safety across South Australia. In the latest phase of the Special Local Roads Program, a financial investment of $17.9 million has been earmarked for the execution of 28 infrastructure projects.
Exclusive to South Australia’s jurisdiction, this program introduces a model that enables the region’s 68 local councils to consolidate a specified fraction of their federal road funding. This consolidated fund is then disseminated through a competitive grant allocation mechanism. Such a structured approach ensures the optimized allocation of resources, consequently bolstering the councils’ proficiency in delivering high-impact, localized infrastructure projects. From a technical standpoint, the allocated funding is slated to be utilized in several critical infrastructural domains: Road Resealing and Reconstruction: Ensuring longevity and enhanced quality of existing roadways. Shoulder Augmentation: Enhancing road widths to accommodate diverse vehicular traffic and improve safety margins. Kerbing and Drainage System Upgrades: Implementing state-of-the-art solutions for efficient water runoff, thereby minimizing water-induced wear.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to harnessing technical advancements for the sustainable development of South Australia’s road infrastructure. At Global Road Technology, we uphold the principle that road safety is a collective duty. The application of our products and services stands at the forefront of dust control and road stabilization, making roads safer for drivers of all shapes and sizes.
References:
https://www.miragenews.com/17-9-million-to-improve-south-australian-roads-1103922/
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