New road rules, including AI-enabled safety cameras, came into effect across Australia from the start of July, aiming to drive down the road toll which is at a 15 year high. An RMIT expert explains that the new laws overlook vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and culturally diverse people.
Professor Nirajan Shiwakoti, School of Engineering
"The changes that came into effect this week represent progress, but reversing the rising road toll will require Australia to move beyond reactive enforcement toward a proactive, inclusive, and system-wide approach.
"The national rollout of AI-enabled cameras, capable of detecting mobile phone use and seatbelt non-compliance, is promising and early trials in New South Wales have shown their potential to significantly reduce mobile phone use, a major contributor to distracted driving and serious crashes.
"However, the new rules largely overlook direct protections for pedestrians and cyclists and ignore the need for vehicle design and urban planning changes that prioritise vulnerable users over traffic density.
"The current policies also lack a strong equity lens: Indigenous Australians continue to face disproportionately high road fatality rates, especially in regional areas, and there is not enough crash data relating to culturally and linguistically diverse people.
"Without targeted data collection, public awareness campaigns, and culturally responsive education, these communities may be excluded from the safety benefits of new rules."
Professor Nirajan Shiwakoti is an expert in road safety studies with nearly 20 years of experience in transport engineering. His research trajectory exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation in transport engineering, where he navigates the nexus of emerging technology, infrastructure, safety and sustainability within transportation systems.
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