The Australian Government has welcomed the findings of the independent Mid-term Review of the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The strategy sets the direction for road safety in Australia and outlines priorities for action this decade, targeting improvements where they are needed most.
The review recognises the impact of sustained investment in road infrastructure and highlights the need for continued action in key areas to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads. It confirms that investment in road safety infrastructure and initiatives has saved lives, reduced harm and supported progress towards national targets.
It identifies opportunities to better embed data in decision-making, support more timely performance monitoring, improve consistency and knowledge sharing, respond to the challenges of e-mobility devices, and maintain focus on rural, regional and remote road safety.
The review also makes clear that further action is needed to respond to the rising road toll and ensure more Australians get home safely. Too many people are still dying or receiving life limiting injuries on our roads and all governments are committed to working together to deliver improved outcomes for all Australians. The review provides the evidence base to reset the national effort for the remainder of the decade, including stronger priorities, improved monitoring and more effective collaboration across governments.
To support this aim, the Albanese Government committed funding in the 2026-27 Budget for research into the causal factors of road trauma in Australia. Three university-based road safety research organisations will be invited to submit proposals to deliver the project, which will examine the incidence, crash type and causes of road fatalities nationally. The research will build a clearer understanding of why crashes occur and which causal factors are most significant for particular cohorts, transport modes and crash types.
The government is working with state and territory governments to develop the next National Road Safety Action Plan, expected to be released later this year. Road safety ministers met earlier this year and reaffirmed their commitment to continued national action to reduce road trauma.
States and territories manage much of the road system people use every day. They plan, fund, build and operate major roads, set driver licensing and vehicle registration rules, and enforce road laws. Local governments also play a vital role by planning, funding, building and maintaining local roads, footpaths and transport links that connect communities.
The Australian Government supports this work by setting national vehicle safety standards, investing in road safety programs and land transport infrastructure, and helping governments work together through national rules, data and leadership. Through the Office of Road Safety, it is giving states and territories stronger national support, greater visibility of road safety issues and clearer data to help drive better outcomes across the country. To view more information about the Australian Government's road safety investment, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au
The government remains committed to working with all jurisdictions, industry and community stakeholders to build on progress and move towards a safer road network for all Australians.
To view the report, visit the Office of Road Safety website
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain:
"The mid-term review gives governments a clearer picture of what is working, where we need to do more, and how we can sharpen our collective efforts for the next action plan, which is in development. We thank all stakeholders for participating in the review.
"Road safety is a shared responsibility, and every level of government has a role to play in reducing road trauma and the devastating impact it has on people and communities.
"In the Budget, we committed to invest in national road safety research that will help ensure future funding is data-driven and targeted to where it will have the greatest impact.
"The Government is investing more than $14.4 billion over 10 years in safer roads through the Black Spot Program, Roads to Recovery Program, the Active Transport Fund, and the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program.
"We will continue working with states, territories, local government, industry and communities to make our roads safer for everyone."
