So long as bullet trains remain a pipe dream, driving will be the primary mode of transport for a while yet – but what is the future of road safety in Australia?
Tragically, just under 45,000 Australians are seriously injured on the road every year. In addition, land transport accidents are the leading cause of death in our nation’s children aged under fifteen, and the second for Australians aged between fifteen and twenty five.
While those figures are far too high, they have not deterred Australians from being a nation of car lovers and road trip enthusiasts. Despite the sobering statistics, the good news is that according to the latest 2021-2030 National Road Safety Strategy, we are making some progress, and that the future of road safety is looking bright.
Over the past decade, and under guidance of the 2011-2020 National Road Safety Strategy Australia has achieved many improvements linked to road infrastructure, greater enforcement of speed limits, stronger graduate licensing schemes for new drivers, and vehicle safety improvements such as the introduction of Electronic Stability Control in newly manufactured cars.
Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, another key achievement was establishing improved road safety as one of the key objectives of co-funded investment, through the new National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects.
Mark Dudman, a Senior Risk Consultant at DriveRisk, says current improvements linked to lower our road fatalities can be attributed to newer road safety strategies in place in Australia, but that the credit also lies with external environmental factors.
“COVID-19 has certainly reduced the volume of traffic, and this, as a byproduct, reduces the likelihood of collisions and fatalities. There is some credit that would go to the adoption of mobile phone detection systems, but as this is fragmented and not universally rolled out in high-risk areas, I don’t really think this has had a major impact.”
While road safety will always be an ongoing issue in Australia, Australian governments at all levels are working together with our communities to change the road transport system to prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
The National Road Safety Strategy represents all governments’ commitment to deliver significant reductions in road trauma, putting Australia on a path to achieve ‘Vision Zero’ or zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 2050.
While this figure may seem ambitious, the new 2021-2030 National Road Safety Strategy outlines Australia’s road safety objectives over the next decade, and includes key priorities for action and targets to reduce the annual number of fatalities by at least 50%, and serious injuries by at least 30% by 2030. The Strategy continues the commitment to the Safe System approach, and strengthening all elements of our road transport system under three key themes: safe roads, safe vehicles and safe road use.
Speed management is embedded within all key themes. The Strategy adopts a social model approach to foster a road safety culture across society and make road safety business-as-usual. By normalising reduced speed as a means to improve road safety, the Strategy aims to promote the introduction of traffic calming tools in private business settings, such as commercial car parks, child care centres, and any setting where pedestrians and cars are in close proximity.
For those looking to improve the future of road safety in Australia, the reality is that it starts with us. For business owners looking to take the bull by the horns and do their part to ensure their enterprise has done everything in its power to improve the safety of a commercial car park, it’s a good idea to consult with the professionals to make a customised game plan – but where do you find them?
At Speed Humps Australia, we’ve spent twenty years focusing on one thing: to provide one style of product, and to do it exceptionally well. We have worked tirelessly to develop specifications that do not fade or deteriorate, are easy to install, and are made from high-quality, recycled rubber for minimal environmental impact.
With just a handful of our clients around the nation including KFC, Taco Bell, McDonalds and numerous local governments and mining operations, our rumble bars, speed humps and wheel stops have been purposefully designed to truly go the distance.
As our design and production is all handled in house and supplied Australia wide, get in touch with us today to request a quote or discuss how we can help with providing a tailored solution to your unique project requirements.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
