NATIONAL ROAD TOLL CONTINUES TO RISE UNDER LABOR

Australia’s road toll continues to track in the wrong direction, as Labor continues to kick the can down on the road on data sharing.

New figures from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) reveal that national road toll rose by 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to 30 September.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tony Pasin MP says the continuing rise in road fatalities reiterates the need for Labor to deliver on its promise to use crucial road safety data to develop more effective responses to the road safety crisis.

“Monthly figures continue to tell us that we are well off track to achieving National Road Safety Strategy targets. It’s clear that road safety measures in place are not working effectively and we need to re-assess where we are concentrating our efforts,” Mr Pasin said.

Mr Pasin said the need to collect and share road trauma data was paramount to measure the effectiveness of road safety initiatives and investment.

“We need a coordinated national approach to road safety data to get a clear understanding of the issues in order to target the responses,” Mr Pasin said.

“While a Federation Funding Agreement has been signed by six of the eight states and territories we are no clearer on what data will be collected, how the data will be used, or what deadlines are set for delivery and publication of the data.”

“It seems business as usual for the Labor Government despite the rising road toll. For 1,288 people to lose their lives in the past 12 months is simply not good enough.”

“Australia needs National leadership on road safety strategies that save lives and that starts with data, not broken promises.” Mr Pasin said.