22 May 2009: Australia: Fatality Free Friday 22nd May 2009, a new beginning?

[ozbob]

Media Release 22 May 2009

Australia:  Fatality Free Friday 22nd May 2009, a new beginning?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters strongly supports Fatality Free Friday (1).  The sad reality is however that road safety is long out of control.  They only long term way to reduce the road toll and the death and injury is to reduce the number of times road vehicles are used and reduce the distances travelled.  Australian roads are a disaster and no amount of upgrading is going to change that.  Australian drivers are generally grossly irresponsible and selfish as evidenced by the grim record of slaughter and carnage. This sad record speaks for itself.  The failure to stop at level crossings as directed is further evidence.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A study last year in the US showed that reductions in annual vehicle miles travelled significantly reduce the number of road fatalities (2).  For every 10% reduction in miles travelled resulted in a 20-40% decrease in fatalities."

"Last week, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Treasurer Wayne Swan and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese all basked in the glory of funding announcements for the upgrading of the Bruce Highway and a super highway to connect Cairns and Melbourne (3).  There is a new committment by the federal government for funding of public transport and this is very welcome, but more needs to be done to provide safe transport options for Australia."

"Rather than continuing the disproportionate road funding paradigm isn't it time that real nation building transport assets that are safe and environmentally sustainable were put in place?"

"Rail is much safer than road. Every day should be fatality free!"

References:

1.   http://www.fatalityfreefriday.com/index.html
2.   http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60424/1/100969.pdf
3.   http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25489029-953,00.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

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