Local Roads Get Boost from Regional Safety Program

• Regional Road Safety Program to expand onto Local Government roads for first time
• State Government allocated $125 million towards the expansion in the State Budget
• More than $39 million allocated across first tranche of local government projects
• A total of 27 projects and more than 400km of the road network to be upgraded in first tranche
• Around 10,000km of State-controlled regional roads upgraded since program was established in 2020
• Program delivers cost-effective treatments to reduce the incidence of run-off and head-on collisions
• Local road crashes account for 44 per cent of regional fatalities and serious injuries

The WA Labor Government's landmark Regional Road Safety Program (RRSP) will be expanded to local government roads for the first time, with the announcement of 27 new projects today.

The RRSP was established in 2020 to address run-off and head-on road crashes, one of the leading causes of serious injuries and deaths on regional roads.

Since the program was established, around $1 billion has been invested to upgrade roughly 10,000km of the regional road network with cost effective treatments such as sealed shoulders and audible edge and centre lines.

The improvements provide a more forgiving road environment by giving drivers advanced warning when their vehicle may be drifting, and improved ability to correct should that occur.

Up until now, the program has been focused on State-controlled roads, but an investment of $125 million over the next five years by the State Government will see it expanded to local roads. The State Government is seeking a matching contribution from the Federal Government for the expansion.

A total of $39 million will be invested across the 27 new local road projects announced today, which will see 428km of local government roads upgraded.

Since establishment, the RRSP has shown a significant reduction in the incidence of crashes where individuals are either killed or seriously injured.

Analysis undertaken by the UWA Centre for Road Safety Research across 163 RRSP projects, comprising of nearly 5,000km of regional roads, showed a 50 per cent reduction in fatalities and 35 per cent reduction in serious injuries when compared to the previous five years.

With such significant results being observed on State roads, the State Government has been working with both the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and RAC to demonstrate strong justification for the program to be rolled out to Local Government roads.

The expansion of the program recognises the significant road trauma on the Local Government network, which accounts for 44 per cent of regional fatalities and serious injuries.

As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The Regional Road Safety Program is a landmark initiative, representing the biggest investment in road safety our State has ever seen.

"Right across the State, we've seen thousands of kilometres of regional roads upgraded with safety treatments like sealed shoulders and audible lines.

"With the vast majority of the State's regional road network now upgraded, we're proud to be expanding this program onto local government roads for the first time.

"Advancing works across both State and Local roads will play a pivotal role in reducing trauma on Western Australian roads."

As stated by Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby:

"Investing in upgrades to regional roads is critical to ensuring drivers are safe across the State.

"We're committed to making driving as safe as possible and the expansion of the RRSP to include local roads follows on from the Premier's Road Safety Summit late last year.

"I am pleased to see additional funding being provided from the Road Trauma Trust Account to deliver proven safety treatments, reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our road network."

As stated by WALGA president Karen Chappel:

"WALGA has extensively advocated to both the State and Australian governments calling for co-funding to provide road safety measures to more than 8,000 kilometres of the Regional Road Network.

"We acknowledge the efforts of the State Government for stepping up and committing funding through the Regional Road Safety Program, which will directly improve existing Local Government roads.

"WALGA is pleased to see $39 million allocated to the first tranche of the Regional Road Safety Program.

"WA Local Governments manage and are responsible for the WA Local Government road network, which totals more than 127,900 kilometres - that's around 88 per cent of the road network in WA, and this funding is vital in improving road safety across WA."

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