Why is Australia continually falling short of crucial road toll benchmarks?

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


compressed-car.jpeg
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


compressed-2.jpeg
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways
  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeslieD
Sponsored
Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


View attachment 25422
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


View attachment 25423
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
 
Maybe it’s time to make vehicles with heavier bodies like they were years ago.My Ford Focus was made in Germany and the body was made of steel, like they used to be. They don’t crumble like the lightweight vehicles of today’s.
 
Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


View attachment 25422
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


View attachment 25423
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
Why don't we reward people for good driving eg.discount of rego and colour code number plates of bad drivers.
 
It makes me laugh when I constantly see statistics of today compared to previous years.
Don't they realise the population GROWS every year?
Obviously, there are more accidents and more fatalities!
There are also more people, more cars, more cyclists and more pedestrians.

Generally, the number will ALWAYS increase EVERY year!!!!!
Get used to it!
 
It seems that basic driving etiquette and knowledge of the road rules is just not taught anymore either by parents to their young pre driving teens or by driving schools. As a regular driver on high speed posted rural roads I am often appalled at the driving habits that I see, from failure to obey speed sign changes and overtaking on a double white line (even on a corner or hill crest), to not dipping headlights when approaching at night. It is not just the younger genaration either, quite often it is more mature drivers who do not seem to give a damn about other road users. I suppose it is part of the entitled Me Me attitude that is so common in everyday life now.
 
Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


View attachment 25422
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


View attachment 25423
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
Driving is a privilege, not a right. To reduce the road toll the individual needs to be trained better, there will always be roads in bad condition, but if we train the driver in the art of controlling the vehicle in these conditions fewer accidents will happen. I have been driving from a young age and was taught to control a vehicle on loose sandy hills and boggy mud flats, got my drivers licence at 16 with a "you'll do" from the Policeman, that was in 1970. Since then I have never had to do another written or driving test.
Knowledge of the road rules is a big issue, we do our written test to get our L plate and that is the only time we are ever tested on our knowledge, new rules come in and the vast majority of people are unaware or hear about them when their kids are learning the rules. We need to be teaching our children how to drive a motor vehicle not just steer it. We are driving a killing machine, but we give people a license and let them renew it time after time without any checks on their abilities. To start with I think anyone who loses their licence should be asked to do a written test before their license can be re-instated and depending on the severity of the reasons for losing the license a driving test as well. There will always be the yahoo out there that doesn't give a damn, but if we teach our kids how to read the signs and give them the tools to cope if the situation arises surely that would go a long way to reducing the road toll. When we get behind the steering wheel we should all be focused on driving, not what we are going to cook for dinner, or the power point presentation we are making next week. Driving is a combination of concentration, awareness, knowledge of road rules and knowing yourself and the vehicle you are driving. Unfortunately experience doesn't happens overnight, but armed with the right knowledge can make the transition to a good driver a little easier.
 
Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


View attachment 25422
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


View attachment 25423
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
Nothing is going to happen until we get get these pathic morons who drink and take drugs and speed to stop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Observer
Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


View attachment 25422
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


View attachment 25423
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
Most people cannot drive. Licenses should only be given to people who can drive, Instead of concentrating on speed the authorities should be concentrating on basic driving skills. The vast majority of drivers cannot turn a corner properly. Blinkers are rarely used. Unbroken lane marking and stop signs are ignored. Many aretq
 
Most people cannot drive. Licenses should only be given to people who can drive, Instead of concentrating on speed the authorities should be concentrating on basic driving skills. The vast majority of drivers cannot turn a corner properly. Blinkers are rarely used. Unbroken lane marking and stop signs are ignored. Many aretq
Agree. If authorities keep doing the same, nothing will change.
 
Why don't we reward people for good driving eg.discount of rego and colour code number plates of bad drivers.
I agree with what you are saying. In Victoria they used to have a program where good drivers were rewarded with stickers on their back windows but this appears to have fallen off to the side. Never hear about it any more unless the Government figured it was something that just wasn't working to curb the poor driving choices of some motorists.
 
I totally agree , good drivers should be rewarded with lower costs for insurance . Why should we pay more for these bad drivers . Someone just run into the back of one of our cars at an intersection , he was far behind , possible on the phone . He called it just an accident and now we have to wait for 4 months to get the car repaired . The insurance is nearly finished for the year and next time it will go up another $200.- per year , $ 100.- more access and take the hire car out . We can not change to another insurance as the car needs to be repaired first . Next year we will change insurance companies .
Here is a lot of youth crime here in Qld , steeling cars and then they crash them . They are not paying for the damage , it is not fair that the car owner needs to deal with this.
 
Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we care about everybody's safety, whether you're at home or on the road.

So it saddens us to report that Australia is still missing vital targets concerning our national road toll despite the Federal Government's efforts.



Over the past year, the rates have tragically spiked, with 1,205 people losing their lives on our roads.

The Federal Government’s target for reducing road fatalities has been frequently missed during the last five years, indicating a significant need for policy reform.


View attachment 25422
Despite ambitious goals, Australia falls short of crucial road toll benchmarks, putting lives at risk. Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay



For context, the death toll over the 12 months to June 30 increased by 3.2 per cent or 37 deaths year-on-year. In the same period, the fatality rate rose to 4.6 per 100,000 people—a horrific 1.2 per cent higher when adjusted for population increases.



If we extend this view to the calendar year-to-date in 2023, the road toll spiked to 614 deaths in the first half of 2023.

If similar patterns persist during the subsequent six months, we may be looking at the worst road toll since 2017, when 1,223 deaths were recorded on Australia’s roads..

What is particularly concerning here is the steady increase in the death toll despite the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.

To put this into context, the total of 1,205 deaths recorded over the last year is 634 more (or 111 per cent higher) than the goal of 571 road fatalities targeted annually by the end of this decade.

Instead of targeting a decrease, we're witnessing a worrying upward trend.



The AAA, the apex body for Australian motoring clubs like NRMA and RACV, calls our attention to this serious matter.

It expresses the urgent need for substantial reform in how Australia reports and assesses road trauma. It also emphasises that our national road toll is now 20 per cent more than it should be if our national strategy were on track to meet its projected reduction goal.

'Achieving this goal will require a new approach, as Australia’s road toll is steadily rising—not falling—and is already well over the trajectory consistent with meeting this target,' remarked the AAA.

One of the significant steps forward is enhanced transparency in official road safety data to have a more solid evidence base for effective policy responses.



Currently, insights around crash causes, serious injuries, road quality, or details of the vehicles involved are limited, as national figures are not combined or 'harmonised' from individual state data.

The AAA's Managing Director, Michael Bradley, candidly claimed, ' The available numbers show Australia’s current approach to road safety is not working.'


View attachment 25423
Alarming spikes in the road toll highlight the urgent need for policy reform in Australia. Image by snapsbyclark from Unsplash



He further proposed a controversial solution suggesting that the Federal Government should consider withholding funding to states and territories until they supply more detailed crash data.

He added, ‘It is not good enough that the Commonwealth can only tell us how many people are dying on the nation’s roads, but they can tell us nothing regarding the causes of our rising rates of road trauma.’



Bradley believes that to facilitate the development of more effective road safety policies, the government should establish an evidence base by requiring states to publicly release data on the condition of their roads, the occurring crashes, and the contributing factors.

‘Publishing this data will allow all governments to work on practical policies to drive change and save lives,’ he stressed.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia's road toll continues to rise, with 1205 people dying on the nation's roads in the 12 months to June 30, a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • This rising trend contradicts the federal government’s current National Road Safety Strategy, which aims for a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths between 2021 and 2030.
  • The AAA, a representative body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, highlights the need for urgent reformation in Australia's road trauma reporting and performance.
  • The AAA suggests that for a more effective road safety policy, the government should require states to publish more detailed road safety data.

It's not just our safety we are concerned about, but that of the generations behind us. With this in mind, let's help create a safer Australia for us and future generations.

Drive safe, abide by the rules, and remember that every life is precious.

Why do you think Australia continues to fall short of crucial road toll benchmarks? Share your opinions with us; we’re all ears!
We are told to make sure our vehicles are kept road worthy but the roads we drive on are NOT vehicle worthy. On our major roads and highways, the powers that be have removed the emergency lanes . International licences are being used by people that do not know our rules or do not speak or read English. Hoons and bad drivers are not punished properly. Etc etc etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaena and Observer
I totally agree , good drivers should be rewarded with lower costs for insurance . Why should we pay more for these bad drivers . Someone just run into the back of one of our cars at an intersection , he was far behind , possible on the phone . He called it just an accident and now we have to wait for 4 months to get the car repaired . The insurance is nearly finished for the year and next time it will go up another $200.- per year , $ 100.- more access and take the hire car out . We can not change to another insurance as the car needs to be repaired first . Next year we will change insurance companies .
Here is a lot of youth crime here in Qld , steeling cars and then they crash them . They are not paying for the damage , it is not fair that the car owner needs to deal with this.
We have a lot of youth crime associated with car too in Victoria but they aren't just steeling and crashing them, they are setting them alight too.
 
It seems that basic driving etiquette and knowledge of the road rules is just not taught anymore either by parents to their young pre driving teens or by driving schools. As a regular driver on high speed posted rural roads I am often appalled at the driving habits that I see, from failure to obey speed sign changes and overtaking on a double white line (even on a corner or hill crest), to not dipping headlights when approaching at night. It is not just the younger genaration either, quite often it is more mature drivers who do not seem to give a damn about other road users. I suppose it is part of the entitled Me Me attitude that is so common in everyday life now.
We live in an area where drivers seem to think that to do a left hand turn one should start from the furthest right hand lane and cut across all lanes assuming that all other drivers will be fully alert and can brake in time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaena and Observer
We live in an area where drivers seem to think that to do a left hand turn one should start from the furthest right hand lane and cut across all lanes assuming that all other drivers will be fully alert and can brake in time.
Every one is a mind reader hey? We all know what their intention is don't we? Yeah, BS
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaena

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×