State and territory agreements for National Road Safety Strategy going nowhere after eight years

An explosive state-by-state benchmarking report reveals Australia is not on track to meet its road toll reduction targets, with the national peak group slamming the Morrison Government for its apathy on the issue.

Targets that still can’t be measured after eight years include crashes in which speed was a factor; and the number of crashes resulting in serious injury. Picture: Contributed

AN EXPLOSIVE state-by-state benchmarking report to be released today reveals Australia is not on track to reduce the road toll by 30 per cent by December next year.

The target of 998 deaths a year, agreed to by all states and territories in 2011, has been stalled, and eight years after the National Road Safety Strategy began, critical targets still cannot be measured.

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Australian Automobile Association chief executive officer Michael Bradley has slammed the Morrison Government for its apathy. Picture: Sean Davey

These include crashes in which speed was a factor; and the number of crashes resulting in serious injury.

National peak group the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), funded by RACQ, NRMA and RACV, has reported on the failings.

AAA chief executive Michael Bradley has slammed the Morrison Government for its apathy and questioned the Government’s resolve.

Federal Transport Minister Michael McCormack in September received 12 recommendations from an independent inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy, but has committed to just one.

“I will be making a ministerial statement to the Parliament tomorrow to outline the Australian Government’s position and strategic approach to recommendations from the report handed down late last year,” Mr McCormack said.

Transport Minister Michael McCormack says he will make a ministerial statement to outline the Government’s position. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

In 2018, 1146 people died on Australian roads which is less than 1224 in 2017 but higher than the year to March 2015.

Mr Bradley said basic data was still needed.

“Over the next four years, motorists will contribute about $60 billion in federal transport-specific taxes. Much of that comes from the 41.6¢ in fuel excise motorists pay for every litre of petrol,” he said.

“It shouldn’t be a difficult ask then, to ensure road safety and infrastructure is a priority.

“Given the latest quarterly benchmark report shows Australia is still not on track to meet its road safety targets, the AAA calls on the Federal Government to urgently release its comprehensive response to the 12 recommendations of the independent inquiry into the national strategy.

“More than 400 lives have been lost on our roads in the five months since the Minister received those recommendations from the government’s own appointed experts that led the inquiry”.

Labor’s road safety assistant spokesman Glenn Sterle said he did not want to politicise road safety but it was time for action.