ROAD SAFETY REACHES NEW LOW UNDER LABOR

ROAD SAFETY REACHES NEW LOW UNDER LABOR

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety Tony Pasin MP says the road safety crisis facing Australia hit a devastating low backing comments made by the Australian Automobile Association this week calling for more action to save lives.

The latest statistical report of the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics shows that 1,300 lives were lost on Australian roads in 2024, the worst result since 2012.

Australia’s road toll continues to track in the wrong direction, with the annual fatality rate per 100,000 head of population now sitting at 4.8, well over double the National Road Safety target of 2.0.

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety Tony Pasin MP said the continual rise in road fatalities reiterates the need for national leadership on the road safety crisis facing the nation.

“The data tells a tragic story unfolding on our roads. Monthly figures continue to tell us that we are well off track to achieving National Road Safety Strategy targets. For the AAA to making comparisons with figures not seen since 1966 before seatbelts were made compulsory is simply astounding,” Mr Pasin said.

“We need better insight into what’s happening on our roads and why to ensure that road safety initiatives and infrastructure funding is being directed where it is needed to address the road safety crisis that has been unfolding on Australian roads,” Mr Pasin said.

“Unfortunately, the road safety task is being made more difficult by the Albanese Government’s decision to cancel, cut, and delay more than $27.9 billion in infrastructure funding over its first two years in government.”

“Labor is failing Australians on the efficiency, productivity and safety of our roads.” 

“It’s time to get our roads and our country back on track.”