MORE ROAD ACCIDENT INFORMATION ESSESNTIAL

With the holiday period upon us, questions are being asked about Australia’s rising road toll and what can be done about it.

The national road toll rose for the last 12 months to October 2024 resulting in 1295 people losing their lives on our roads, of which 989 were males.

Just last month 129 Australians lost their lives on Australian roads, many of these deaths being avoidable.

According to some experts road safety in this country is not working.

Australian Automobile Association (AAA) director, Michael Bradely, said there are a range of factors affecting the road toll including divers’ poor judgment, speed, seatbelts not being worn, drugs, state of the roads, and where money is being spent on road maintenance.

State, national and municipal governments have access to road accident data collected by police and authorities and are guided by the Australian Road Assessment Program, a body that coordinates and assists road safely and trauma reduction.

However, governments of all persuasions retain vital data from this and other organisations on road risks, as well as vehicle condition at the time of the accident, road conditions, and drivers’ involvement.

The AAA maintains that while the national and state governments are discussing the road toll and funding, road accident information should be in the public domain and shared, so people can see where money is being spent on roads, and not be left to political party judgments.

As we approach the holiday season, which is sadly a hazardous period on our roads, it’s time that all governments committed to a full disclosure of the national accident data and roads funding.

This should result in a better focus on and response to road accidents to lower the road toll, and the stress on the families affected.