Road safety: What needs to be done to further reduce Australia's national road trauma toll

摘要

Federal, state and local governments, the Australian Transport Council, the International Transport Forum, state road authorities, the police, the automotive industry, and various road safety research organisations have all contributed positively towards reducing Australia's accident casualty rate/capita in the past 30 years since the 1970s via significant investment, education and research in road safety programs and interventions, such as infrastructure, enforcement operations and improved vehicle design. This is particularly encouraging considering there are now more vehicles on the road and the Australian fatality rate per 100,000 registered vehicles performs well compared to other developed countries. However, increased casualty trends have emerged since 2008, particularly among young and inattentive drivers, certain high risk groups, and vulnerable road users, and heavy vehicle accidents and attitudes to seat belt wearing are still a concern. This recent trend is being reflected in the road rankings in the 2010 State Infrastructure report cards. This is a disappointing outcome particularly in light of the proactive measures current being undertaken including the National Road Safety Strategy 2009 and 2010 action plans, complementary National Heavy Vehicle Safety and Railway Level crossing strategies, the establishment of working groups for vulnerable groups, and the Towards Vision Zero strategies being implemented by state road authorities in Australia and around the world by many of the OECD countries. With an estimated current annual national road trauma cost of $18 billion in Australia, new high impact approaches are required. Accordingly this paper explores new opportunities and suggestions to build on the good work done to date and redress the most recent trends.