Seniors behind the steering wheel for decades have probably seen it all—tailgaters, speedsters, distracted drivers, and occasional daredevils weaving through traffic.

While many shake their heads or mutter words under their breath, there's a much bigger problem brewing on Australia's roads, and it's costing the nation billions.

National Road Safety Week has kicked off, and it's not just a reminder to slow down or buckle up on the road.

It's a call to action for all Australians to take road safety seriously.

Campaign founder Peter Frazer OAM launched the program after his daughter's untimely death due to a distracted truck driver.

He urged Aussies to rethink how they approach road safety as a whole.

Drivers and the general public need to be more aware of road rules. Image Credit: Pexels/Connor Forsyth

'We need to flip everything on its head and start dealing with the reality of risk on our roads,' Mr Frazer said.

'We've got to have our governments start doing much more active enforcement, both police enforcement and also automated enforcement, which we can do immediately.'

According to statistics, road trauma and offences have cost Australia about $30 billion annually.

This price tag has included medical expenses, emergency services, lost productivity, and the heartbreaking toll on families and communities.

In the past four years, annual deaths have jumped from around 1,140 to more than 1,300.

While road enforcement changes have been implemented across Australia, Mr Frazer urged everyone to be vigilant on the road.

'The very first thing that we need to do is to flip everything on its head and start dealing with the reality of risk on our roads,' Mr Frazer said.

'That's the first thing. We've got to have our governments start doing much more active enforcement, both police enforcement and also automated enforcement, which we can do immediately.'

So, what's behind this worrying trend on the road?

• Speeding: This has been one of the biggest road killers, responsible for around 40 per cent of fatalities. Speeding remains a serious problem even in school zones.
• Distracted driving: Mobile phones, in-car entertainment systems, and even GPS devices have been taking drivers' attention off the road.
• Complacency and risky behaviour: Since the pandemic, there's been a noticeable uptick in erratic and dangerous driving, with some motorists treating quieter roads as a green light to break the rules.
• Lack of enforcement: While police and speed cameras are in place, Mr Frazer argued that drivers need to go back to the 'anywhere, anytime' approach—where drivers know they could be checked at any moment.

Many senior drivers have decades of driving experience under their belts.

With road rules changing now and then, here are some ways to help keep Aussie roads safe:

• Lead by example: Stick to the speed limits, avoid distractions, and always wear seat belts.
• Speak up: Sometimes, a reminder is all it takes to keep everyone safe.
• Stay informed: Keep up to date with changes to road rules and safety campaigns.

As Mr Frazer stated, drivers have the 'vaccines' to stop the rise of road incidents.

'We've got to also recognise—it costs $30 billion in road trauma in Australia every year. Can you imagine the savings to the national economy if we reduced the number of people killed by that 50 per cent?' he asked.

Key Takeaways

• One of Australia's road safety advocates called for urgent action to address the root causes of dangerous driving.
• The financial cost of road trauma in Australia has reached $30 billion annually and could increase if adequate measures are not implemented.
• Speeding has been identified as a major contributor to road fatalities, responsible for about 40 per cent of all deaths.
• Despite a national strategy to halve road deaths by 2030, current numbers are well above target, highlighting an urgent need for renewed government commitment for road safety.

Have you noticed changes in driver behaviour since the pandemic? Is enough being done to keep our roads safe? Share your thoughts and experiences on the road in the comments section below.

 

[7777]

The only way road accidents can come to a stop is through a change in the way cars, semi-trailers and trucks are manufactured. I believe almost every driver would disagree with this suggestion, but there is no other way to stop the speeding.
Manufacturers of all vehicles need to alter the speeding ability of the vehicle. One could say hey, we are going back in time and not keeping up with the modern day speed of technology. But we can also say, that we have not advanced mentally, to realising that speed can cause devastating injury and life long trauma.
Furthermore, irresponsible drivers, both young and older, will never learn that the public roads are not speed racing circuits, where they can take their inflamed egos for a speedy ride.
If the car is made to reach a limit of 80 kph, then that would dramatically make a difference to the way drivers use the roads. All one has to do is leave earlier to travel to their destination and drive no faster than 80 kph. What is the point of putting up 100 kph speed limits, when all one has to do is give the exalerator pedal a bit of pressure, simply because they can and because there are no police or cameras in view. Who is going to know that the driver who is in control of his vehical has just applied a bit more foot pressure on the exalerator. If the car is made to reach only 80 kph, then that choice to speed will be removed, creating a safer road.
With out doubt, the transformation of manufacturing vehical that reach only 80 kph would be a first, but would also make our roads the safest. Existing cars should then be funded by tbe govenment to have their speed monitor in there vehical mechanically remodified from 280kph or what ever their speed monitor shows on their dash board down to a safe 80 kph.
The second recommend change on our roads to increase safety for all drivers is to install more speed bumps and also to create more roundabouts, all of which require a decrease in speed.
Why do we walk and not run in the shopping centres, in hospitals, in offices, in the CBD where there are crowds of people, simple, so that we do not collide with speed into one another. We could do the same with our choice of speed on the roads, slow down so that we do not collide into someone or something that could cause horrific injuries or life long regrets.

 

[Spiderman]

The only way road accidents can come to a stop is through a change in the way cars, semi-trailers and trucks are manufactured. I believe almost every driver would disagree with this suggestion, but there is no other way to stop the speeding.
Manufacturers of all vehicles need to alter the speeding ability of the vehicle. One could say hey, we are going back in time and not keeping up with the modern day speed of technology. But we can also say, that we have not advanced mentally, to realising that speed can cause deviating injury and life long trauma.
Furthermore, irresponsible young drivers will never learn that the public roads are not speed racing circuits, where they can take their inflamed egos for a speedy ride.
If the car is made to reach a limit of 80 kph, then that would dramatically make a difference to the way drivers use the roads. All one has to do is leave earlier to travel to their destination and drive no faster than 80 kph. What is the point of putting up 100 kph speed limits, when all one has to do is give the exalerator pedal a bit of pressure, simply because they can and because there are no police or cameras in view. Who is going to know that the driver who is in control of his vehical has just applied a bit more foot pressure on the exalerator. If the car is made to reach only 80 kph, then that choice to speed will be removed, creating a safer road.
With out doubt, the transformation of manufacturing vehical that reach only 80 kph would be a first, but would also make our roads the safest. Existing cars should then be funded by tbe govenment to have their speed monitor in there vehical mechanically remodified from 280kph or what ever their speed monitor shows on their dash board down to a safe 80 kph.
The second recommend change on our roads to increase safety for all drivers is to install more speed bumps and also to create more roundabouts, all of which require a decrease in speed.
Why do we walk and not run in the shopping centres, in hospitals, in offices, in the CBD where there are crouds of people, simple, so that we do not collide with speed into one another. We could do the same with our choice of speed on the roads, slow down so that we do not collide into someone or something that could cause horrific injuries or life long regrets.

You have got to be joking, do you ever drive on country roads or long distances. One of the biggest risks/killers on roads is fatigue and you want to stretch that four hour drive into 6 hours and don't throw that BS at me about taking breaks. Also speed limiting vehicles will result in more congestion and impatience on the roads due to the inability of cars to SAFELY overtake especially in the case of road trains and larger trucks. The best option would be to raise the licensing age to 21 so that hopefully the stupid immature P platers could hopefully grow a brain and secondly keep city drivers off country roads because they have absolutely no idea how to drive safely on rural roads.

 

[kerrikennel]

The only way road accidents can come to a stop is through a change in the way cars, semi-trailers and trucks are manufactured. I believe almost every driver would disagree with this suggestion, but there is no other way to stop the speeding.
Manufacturers of all vehicles need to alter the speeding ability of the vehicle. One could say hey, we are going back in time and not keeping up with the modern day speed of technology. But we can also say, that we have not advanced mentally, to realising that speed can cause deviating injury and life long trauma.
Furthermore, irresponsible young drivers will never learn that the public roads are not speed racing circuits, where they can take their inflamed egos for a speedy ride.
If the car is made to reach a limit of 80 kph, then that would dramatically make a difference to the way drivers use the roads. All one has to do is leave earlier to travel to their destination and drive no faster than 80 kph. What is the point of putting up 100 kph speed limits, when all one has to do is give the exalerator pedal a bit of pressure, simply because they can and because there are no police or cameras in view. Who is going to know that the driver who is in control of his vehical has just applied a bit more foot pressure on the exalerator. If the car is made to reach only 80 kph, then that choice to speed will be removed, creating a safer road.
With out doubt, the transformation of manufacturing vehical that reach only 80 kph would be a first, but would also make our roads the safest. Existing cars should then be funded by tbe govenment to have their speed monitor in there vehical mechanically remodified from 280kph or what ever their speed monitor shows on their dash board down to a safe 80 kph.
The second recommend change on our roads to increase safety for all drivers is to install more speed bumps and also to create more roundabouts, all of which require a decrease in speed.
Why do we walk and not run in the shopping centres, in hospitals, in offices, in the CBD where there are crouds of people, simple, so that we do not collide with speed into one another. We could do the same with our choice of speed on the roads, slow down so that we do not collide into someone or something that could cause horrific injuries or life long regrets.

Makes sense to me, speed limit max is 120kmph (in NT & Sydney I think), why do we need vehicles that do over 200?

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

The only way road accidents can come to a stop is through a change in the way cars, semi-trailers and trucks are manufactured. I believe almost every driver would disagree with this suggestion, but there is no other way to stop the speeding.
Manufacturers of all vehicles need to alter the speeding ability of the vehicle. One could say hey, we are going back in time and not keeping up with the modern day speed of technology. But we can also say, that we have not advanced mentally, to realising that speed can cause deviating injury and life long trauma.
Furthermore, irresponsible young drivers will never learn that the public roads are not speed racing circuits, where they can take their inflamed egos for a speedy ride.
If the car is made to reach a limit of 80 kph, then that would dramatically make a difference to the way drivers use the roads. All one has to do is leave earlier to travel to their destination and drive no faster than 80 kph. What is the point of putting up 100 kph speed limits, when all one has to do is give the exalerator pedal a bit of pressure, simply because they can and because there are no police or cameras in view. Who is going to know that the driver who is in control of his vehical has just applied a bit more foot pressure on the exalerator. If the car is made to reach only 80 kph, then that choice to speed will be removed, creating a safer road.
With out doubt, the transformation of manufacturing vehical that reach only 80 kph would be a first, but would also make our roads the safest. Existing cars should then be funded by tbe govenment to have their speed monitor in there vehical mechanically remodified from 280kph or what ever their speed monitor shows on their dash board down to a safe 80 kph.
The second recommend change on our roads to increase safety for all drivers is to install more speed bumps and also to create more roundabouts, all of which require a decrease in speed.
Why do we walk and not run in the shopping centres, in hospitals, in offices, in the CBD where there are crouds of people, simple, so that we do not collide with speed into one another. We could do the same with our choice of speed on the roads, slow down so that we do not collide into someone or something that could cause horrific injuries or life long regrets.

If you look at any 1950s NRMA's (in NSW) The Open Road magazine one will find something like what you just proposed. Some things are not new under the sun. The one main reason nothing changes is that we are not in a draconian Communist country, yet.

 

[7777]

You have got to be joking, do you ever drive on country roads or long distances. One of the biggest risks/killers on roads is fatigue and you want to stretch that four hour drive into 6 hours and don't throw that BS at me about taking breaks. Also speed limiting vehicles will result in more congestion and impatience on the roads due to the inability of cars to SAFELY overtake especially in the case of road trains and larger trucks. The best option would be to raise the licensing age to 21 so that hopefully the stupid immature P platers could hopefully grow a brain and secondly keep city drivers off country roads because they have absolutely no idea how to drive safely on rural roads.

I respect your opinion. However I am speaking as a victim of a horrific car collision, where the driver of the car that I was a passenger in, drove full speed into the back of a parked semitrailer, that was parked on the road side during a rainy night. I barely survived the accident and sadly the driver that drove us, passed away on impact. So please, practice being more patient, consider yourself lucky to never have suffered life long injuries from a car accident, and don't forget, you have all the time in the world to reach your destination responsibly, with organized stops for rest to avoid fatigue, but you only have one life.
Raising the licence age to 21 does not mean that when they are 21, it is an indication of responsibility or maturity. There are so many older drivers who drive with an enormous ego and take out their frustrations on the choice to speed. You have your reasons for your opinion and equally so, I have my reasons for my opinion. Wishing you safe driving always,

 

[Mindygirl12022]

I'll tell you what! I don't drive anymore, and what does is to make you an unwitting target for any driver (which is many of them) either speeding or talking on their phones.) I have come very close to being run over many times. It seems that the poor Pedestrian is just treated as a 'lower form of life' and not worth paying attention to when driving a CAR, which are of course more important.

Julie

 

[Veggiepatch]

The only way to eliminate road trauma is to completely ban any motorised vehicle. Passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, road travelling earthmoving machinery and so on.

A drastic and impossible measure but anybody who thinks that imposing laws and restrictions on motor vehicles and their drivers and passengers is the answer, has been smoking too much of the wacky backy.

As long as there are chunks of metal hurtling along our roads, there will always be injuries and deaths. The laws of physics will not change because of some dopey legislation.

 

[Macarj]

In my view they never mention what I think is worst than speeding is drivers who can't stay in their own lane especially around a simple bend in the road I always taught my children when teaching them how to drive to keep to the left even around a bend

 

[Jumpat]

What amazes me is that no one takes into account what new drivers are being taught. I have followed driving instructors that have blatently disregarded the road rules whilst teaching young drivers. They stop at traffic lights leaving at least one car space from the intersection, indicate their intention to turn only when the lights change, leave HUGE spaces between vehicles whilst stationary ( meaning that if you are in a turn lane, only a couple of cars can make that turn before the light changes ), don't know when to give way to the right, don't know that it is illegal to drive more than 20 km below the speed limit or that they have to keep to the left unless overtaking etc. This is especially the case for new immigrants who, when in stationary traffic, think that they have to leave 2.5 car spaces between themselves and the car in front, a rule that only applies when you're driving. all of this leads to extreme frustration for those of us that have spent more than 40 years driving on our roads!!!
I have followed a driving instructor who thought it was OK to sit through 3 changes of a set of traffic lights, (in peak hour ) whilst instruting their driver.

 

[Ronloby]

Reducing the speed limit of vehicles would make no difference. It is up to the DRIVER of the vehicle to make the correct decision whilst driving. Also, more surveillance of our roads would also help. Plus, better road conditions around Australia are a major concern for the Government State and Federal to access as a priority.

 

[7777]

I respect you

Reducing the speed limit of vehicles would make no difference. It is up to the DRIVER of the vehicle to make the correct decision whilst driving. Also, more surveillance of our roads would also help. Plus, better road conditions around Australia are a major concern for the Government State and Federal to access as a

 

[7777]

I respect you opinion. However, reducing the speed limit of a vehical would make a difference. It would mean not being able to speed, as your car can not not go over 80 kph because of the mechanical modification to the speed monitor. Yes I agree, it is up to the driver of the car to make the correct decision, but what kinđ of a correct decision is made by the driver when he makes their decision to speed that causes an accident. There are so many accidents caused by irresponsible drivers who do not have a mature and responsible capacity to make the correct decision whilst driving. They feel so safe holding onto their steering wheels, thinking that they are driving an accident proof car, that will not cause anyone injury in an accident. Cars are made from steel and when they hit another car with speed, people can suffer life long permanent injuries, trauma and life long regrets.
So, yes I believe reducing the speed limit of a vehicle can mean the difference between sustaining minor injuries or damages to the car as opposed to a car that speeds and can cause life long injuries or sàdly, cause a loss a life.

 

[novezar]

I respect your opinion. However I am speaking as a victim of a horrific car collision, where the driver of the car that I was a passenger in, drove full speed into the back of a parked semitrailer, that was parked on the road side during a rainy night. I barely survived the accident and sadly the driver that drove us, passed away on impact. So please, practice being more patient, consider yourself lucky to never have suffered life long injuries from a car accident, and don't forget, you have all the time in the world to reach your destination responsibly, with organized stops for rest to avoid fatigue, but you only have one life.
Raising the licence age to 21 does not mean that when they are 21, it is an indication of responsibility or maturity. There are so many older drivers who drive with an enormous ego and take out their frustrations on the choice to speed. You have your reasons for your opinion and equally so, I have my reasons for my opinion. Wishing you safe driving always,

Hi 7777,
I thought there had to be a reason for your comment. But, I must admit, sticking to 80k's an hour on open highways only causes many tensions of impatience.

This in itself can cause devastating accidents as well.

With your absolute mishap & being extremely lucky to be alive, is the exact reason why we don't drive during the night.

You just don't know how long other drivers have been driving for on a night journey.

It's just fraught with danger being on the road during the night times.

About 10 years or more ago, maybe a bit longer, a clear example of dire mishaps with devastating consequences is, where a family on hols., at Port Macquarie, mid north coast , NSW, decided to give their 3 children one last day of full on complete activities.

They decided to drive back to their home that night.

They were only into their night journey for an extremely short time, where they had one horrific accident where the whole family were killed.

The accident was only about 20-25 k's north of where we are.

 

[7777]

Hi 7777,
I thought there had to be a reason for your comment. But, I must admit, sticking to 80k's an hour on open highways only causes many tensions of impatience.

This in itself can cause devastating accidents as well.

With your absolute mishap & being extremely lucky to be alive, is the exact reason why we don't drive during the night.

You just don't know how long other drivers have been driving for on a night journey.

It's just fraught with danger being on the road during the night times.

About 10 years or more ago, maybe a bit longer, a clear example of dire mishaps with devastating consequences is, where a family on hols., at Port Macquarie, mid north coast , NSW, decided to give their 3 children one last day of full on complete activities.

They decided to drive back to their home that night.

They were only into their night journey for an extremely short time, where they had one horrific accident where the whole family were killed.

The accident was only about 20-25 k's north of where we are.

God bless,

 

[Jennymollie]

Its the younger drivers they think they own the road don't want to give way and try to frighten you by driving so close behind and the speeding away when there is a gap it's terrifying ,l have been driving for 64 years and now thinking ot giving up because of this,

 

[Tata]

Get the numbers right - take the population growth into account, which, according to the statistics, is 13% for the last four years. At the same time, the road toll increase is 10%.
Many articles and valuation take only one side of the story, completely ignoring the other. One example - we are constantly reminded, that the ageing population is a threat to economy, at the same time forgetting the other age groups are increasing in size too!

 

[Clancieblue]

You have got to be joking, do you ever drive on country roads or long distances. One of the biggest risks/killers on roads is fatigue and you want to stretch that four hour drive into 6 hours and don't throw that BS at me about taking breaks. Also speed limiting vehicles will result in more congestion and impatience on the roads due to the inability of cars to SAFELY overtake especially in the case of road trains and larger trucks. The best option would be to raise the licensing age to 21 so that hopefully the stupid immature P platers could hopefully grow a brain and secondly keep city drivers off country roads because they have absolutely no idea how to drive safely on rural roads.

I reared 6 teenagers, all were responsible drivers, no accidents, tickets or fines. They also have teenage children, same thing, no accidents tickets or fines.
All teenagers and P plate drivers are not the cause, what about the middle-aged male and female intoxicated drivers.

 

[7777]

I reared 6 teenagers, all were responsible drivers, no accidents, tickets or fines. They also have teenage children, same thing, no accidents tickets or fines.
All teenagers and P plate drivers are not the cause, what about the middle-aged male and female intoxicated drivers.

Hi dear member Clancieblue, I am not saying all young drivers are irresponsible whilst driving. There are many very safe and mature young drivers, as you mention your family members, who show care and drive safely at all times. I am referring to those other young drivers who haven't got a care in the world, who think it's funny or entertaining to do wheelies or drag race on tbe main roads. They are the young drivers I am referring to, who sadly and too often, find out the hard way, that in a matter of seconds, speed can change the direction of life where every day becomes a struggle with pain and a life long reminder of that one moment of choosing to speed.

 

[Tata]

Hi dear member Clancieblue, I am not saying all young drivers are irresponsible whilst driving. There are many very safe and mature young drivers, as you mention your family members, who show care and drive safely at all times. I am referring to those other young drivers who haven't got a care in the world, who think it's funny or entertaining to do wheelies or drag race on tbe main roads. They are the young drivers I am referring to, who sadly and too often, find out the hard way, that in a matter of seconds, speed can change the direction of life where every day becomes a struggle with pain and a life long reminder of that one moment of choosing to speed.

My nightmare is young P plate female drivers, had some almost caught accidents around them, they seem to have a very vague idea how to drive properly (female myself, talking from my own experience)