National Transport Commission welcomes national road safety strategy

[ozbob]

http://www.ntc.gov.au/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsId=328

Title:    National Transport Commission welcomes national road safety strategy
Article Date:    02 Dec 2010

The release of the draftNational Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 is a crucial step towards reducing death and serious injury on Australia's roads, according to National Transport Commission (NTC) Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos.

Mr Dimopoulos welcomed the release of the strategy and commended the work of Australia's transport and roads agencies in developing the strategy.

"Each year 1,500 Australians lose their lives on our roads and nearly 30,000 experience serious injuries," said Mr Dimopoulos.

"The social and economic impact of this loss of lives and injury rate is devastating.

"Australia has a strong track record in road safety, but these statistics tell us that more needs to be done.

"The NTC has long been an advocate for a 'safe systems' approach to road safety and we're encouraged by the focus on this in the strategy.

"A safe systems approach means taking a holistic view of all the factors which influence safety such as the quality of roads and roadsides, producing safer vehicles and ensuring people comply with speed limits. A focus on driver behaviour and compliance systems is also essential.

"Putting a safe systems approach in place across Australia will ensure that all road users go home safely to their families.

"The NTC will be making a submission on this important strategy and we encourage others with an interest in road safety to have their say.

"It is only by tackling road safety holistically and at a national level that we will truly be able to make a significant reduction to death and serious injury on our roads."

The draft strategy and details on how to lodge feedback can be found on the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website: http://infrastructure.gov.au

The consultation period closes on 11 February 2011.

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Road safety is an oxymoron of the highest order.  Provide people with proper and safe transport alternatives is the key.

The injury toll increases each year the cost is becoming unmanageable ... aside from the sheer distress and ruination of lives.

[Jonno]

Time for a Zero Harm Program aimed at our Roads.  "If it isn't safe to do it. It aint worth doing". Oh!!! Better not drive today.  Could you imagine if an industry had 1500 deaths a year.  The Govt would shut it town...yet our road industry is supported right up to the eyeballs. 

Strong track record??? My a!(/#!!!  1500 deaths is an appalling record not a strong one!

[Golliwog]

Most certainly agree with 1500 deaths being a poor statistic, but compare that to many other countries and we're doing much better than them. We also have (in my opinion anyway) better enforcement systems than overseas. In the USA its the norm for everyone to be doing 10-20 miles/hour over the speed limit on motorways and the police do nothing to try and stop it.