- Targeting priority sections of regional roads to provide safety benefits for communities
- 19 priority road safety projects funded for treatment in 2018-19
- Follows McGowan Government's commitment to regional roads through Safer Roads and Black Spots programs
A total of 19 projects across regional Western Australia will share $25 million in funding targeted at reducing the impact of run-off crashes on rural roads.
The Regional Run-Off Road Crashes program will deliver vital road safety improvements to 19 sections of rural road covering more than 160 kilometres across the State.
Projects included in this year's round of funding include:
- $2.6 million to widen shoulders, improve intersections and install audible edge lining on Albany Highway in the Great Southern region (Kojonup to Balgarup Road);
- $2.9 million for shoulder widening on Pinjarra Williams Road in the South-West region (Dwellingup to Murray Shire boundary);
- $3.8 million to widen shoulders and install audible edge lining on the Great Eastern Highway west of Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields; and
- $2 million for shoulder widening on the Great Northern Highway in the Mid-West/Gascoyne region.
Funded by the Road Trauma Trust Account, the program has identified and prioritised regional roads with an above average single vehicle run-off road crash risk for safety treatments.
Treatments include widening roads and sealing gravel shoulders to enable drivers to regain control of their vehicle safely, in the event it leaves the road; as well as installing audible edge lines to warn drivers when they may be in danger of drifting off the road.
To date, 1,465 kilometres of road have been treated since the program's inception - representing a third of all regional roads identified as a priority.
A recent study by the Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre that analysed 57 locations treated under the program found that, on average, the sites saw a 35.5 per cent reduction in all incidents and a 25.6 per cent reduction in drivers killed or seriously injured.
The Regional Run-Off Road Crashes program is part of a $77.79 million commitment to a series of road safety initiatives across four programs including the Safer Roads program ($28.49 million), the State Black Spots program ($20 million, plus $5 million from local governments) and the Urban Intersection Crashes program ($4.3 million).
As noted by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"There are now 165 road safety projects happening across WA that are being funded in 2018-19 through the Regional Run-Off Road Crashes, Safer Roads and Black Spots programs.
"Additionally, we partnered with the Federal Government recently to commit $55.25 million towards 16 regional road safety projects through the Regional Road Safety package - many of which are well underway.
"Single vehicle run-off crashes are a major issue and I support all measures designed to prevent them by creating a more forgiving road environment.
As noted by Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
"Funding for the regional run-off program is derived from the Road Trauma Trust Account, and represents the revenue from speed and red light cameras.
"This is Road Trauma Trust Account funding being used for what it was intended for - reducing tragedy on our roads by investing in safety solutions in areas of higher risk.
"Far too many crashes still occur in our regions. These treatments will make regional roads safer."
