PRESS RELEASE: Australia Failing on Road Safety Targets – Improved Parliamentary Oversight Needed Now
EMBARGO – 9:00am – Tuesday 29 April 2025
AUSTRALIA FAILING ON ROAD SAFETY TARGETS – IMPROVED PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT NEEDED NOW
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is calling on the Australian Government to take immediate action to address Australia’s ongoing road safety crisis. The nation has now failed to meet the targets of not just one, but two previous National Road Safety Strategies (NRSS) – 2001-2010 and 2011-2020 – and is falling well behind on its current strategy for 2021-2030 (https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/nrss). With four consecutive years of rising fatalities – a trend not seen since the 1970s – it is not apparent how Australia will meet its current targets to prevent more people being killed.
Despite repeated commitments to reducing road deaths and serious injuries, Australia continues to see high rates of people killed on its roads. Road trauma remains the leading cause of death and serious injury among Australian children and young people and is one of the top three causes of death for those aged 1-45 years (https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/injury-in-australia/contents/injury-causes-and-age).
The cost of inaction is staggering. Road crashes cost the Australian economy almost $30 billion every year – and over $575 million per week (https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/social-cost-of-road-crashes.pdf). These financial losses, combined with the immeasurable human suffering caused by preventable deaths and lifelong injuries, underscore the urgent need for decisive national leadership.
ACRS CEO, Dr Ingrid Johnston, stated: “These figures are unacceptable. Not only has the Australian Government failed to meet its road safety commitments in the past, but it is on track to fail again. Road trauma is a preventable public health crisis, and without stronger accountability and immediate action, we will continue to see people killed and families shattered.”
To break this cycle of failure, the ACRS is advocating for the establishment of an Australian Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety. This committee must be fully resourced and empowered with broad terms of reference to provide the sustained oversight and national coordination needed to turn the tide on road trauma. A dedicated parliamentary committee would drive evidence-based policy, strengthen governance, and facilitate collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities to deliver meaningful improvements in road safety outcomes.
“We need national leadership and accountability,” added Dr Johnston. “A dedicated Joint Standing Committee will ensure road safety remains a political priority, that proven strategies are implemented, and that governments are held to account for their commitments.”
The ACRS urges all levels of government to act swiftly and decisively. The human and economic costs of road trauma are too high to ignore any longer. The time for action is now.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Lesley Tipping – ACRS – Senior Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]; Phone: 0439 231 394
OTHER INFORMATION:
– Read the ACRS Policy Platform – Australian Federal Election 2025 here: https://acrs.org.au/acrs-policy-platform-australian-federal-election-2025/
– Read the ACRS Appropriate Language in Road Safety Communication guid here: https://acrs.org.au/news-media/using-appropriate-language-in-road-safety-communication/
ABOUT THE AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF ROAD SAFETY (ACRS)
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is the region’s peak membership association for road safety professionals, advocates, and members of the public who are focused on saving lives and serious injuries on our roads. The College provides an inclusive, collaborative environment promoting communication, networking, professionalism, and advocacy across all spheres of road safety including policy, advocacy, research, innovation, technologies, and management. ACRS membership includes experts from all areas of road safety including policy makers, academics, community organisations, researchers, federal, state, and local government agencies, private companies, and members of the public. More Information: www.acrs.org.au
About the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS)
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is the region’s peak membership association for road safety professionals, advocates, and members of the public who are focused on saving lives and serious injuries on our roads. The College provides an inclusive, collaborative environment promoting communication, networking, professionalism, and advocacy across all spheres of road safety including policy, advocacy, research, innovation, technologies, and management. ACRS membership includes experts from all areas of road safety including policy makers, academics, community organisations, researchers, federal, state, and local government agencies, private companies, and members of the public. More Information: www.acrs.org.au
