A NOTABLE decline in 2018 nationwide road deaths with 78 fewer fatalities has been welcomed – but the drop should not be seen as a green light to trigger complacency according to acting Primer Minister Michael McCormack.
The most recent statistical evidence, recorded by relevant authorities, shows there were 1146 deaths for the 12-month period ended December 2018.
This represents a 6.4pc drop from the previous 12-month period, in which 1224 road deaths were recorded and is the lowest 12-month total since August 2014.
Road toll figures are collected and analysed by the federal Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) using information provided by State and Territory transport agencies throughout Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Victoria experienced a 17.4pc drop in road deaths (259 in 2017 and 214 in 2018), along with a 19pc fall in fatalities in South Australia (100 in 2017 and 81 in 2018).
Mr McCormack welcomed the recent statistics which showed encouraging improvement.
But Mr McCormack warned against adopting a false sense of security, saying nobody should rest on their laurels and complacency remained the real and ever-present enemy of road safety.
“A 6.4pc decline in road deaths last year should trigger a reason to ask how that performance can be improved in 2019 and what more can we do to make a difference,” he said.
“One road death or accident is one too many and the release of these recent national road death figures should serve as a reminder to all road users and stakeholders, including all Governments, to be ever-vigilant and work harder to achieve improvements.”
Mr McCormack said State and Federal Governments shared the ‘vision zero’ target and are working with multiple agencies and through various jurisdictions to improve road safety standards and deliver a more secure transport system for all Australians and their families.
He said the Federal Government’s record $75b infrastructure plan is being rolled-out over the next decade with enhanced road safety outcomes central to numerous projects being conducted throughout the nation.
