Investment in a long-term regional road safety package must be included in this month’s State Budget to reduce the alarming number of people being killed and seriously injured on WA’s country roads.
The call comes as part of RAC’s 2019-20 State Budget Submission, which outlines key priorities to keep road users safe and meet the increasing demands being placed on WA’s road and public transport system.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said the timing of the State Budget and Federal Election provided the critical opportunity for decisive action and collaboration on road safety in WA.
“Over 60 per cent of road fatalities consistently occur in regional WA and we desperately need long term and targeted investment that will improve road safety and help reduce the $845 million road maintenance backlog confronting our State,” Mr Golsby said.
“That’s why RAC is calling on candidates involved in the Federal Election to commit to funding $80 million a year over the next 10 years, in partnership with the State Government, to accelerate crucial upgrades across regional WA.
“These funds would go towards a comprehensive package of life-saving, low-cost safety measures —— such as sealing road shoulders and installing audible edge lines — and would be delivered throughout WA’s regional communities over coming years.
“WA used to be one the best when it came to road safety, we’re now the worst.
“If WA was simply in line with the national average, more than 40 Western Australian lives would have been saved last year. If we had matched Victoria’s rate, we would have almost halved our 2018 road toll.
“Last year’s State Budget funded some important infrastructure but was not accompanied by a sufficient increase in road maintenance spending.
“The continued failure by both levels of government to adequately fund a joint, long-term regional road safety program is putting people’s lives at risk.”
RAC’s State Budget Submission also calls for:
- A renewed and improved commitment to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads;
- Sustained and widespread investment in the public transport network;
- Investment in projects to improve the daily operation of the existing road network;
- A commitment to keep the cost of motoring and transport down;
- Support to prepare for emerging vehicle technologies, most notably electric and automated vehicles; and
- The accelerated delivery of safe and connected infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
View RAC’s full State Budget Submission 2019-20.
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RAC Media Contact: Rhys Heron, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
