Close to 70 per cent of Australian road users believe roads are not being adequately maintained to keep drivers safe. Sixty-seven per cent surveyed said they felt their roads were not being adequately maintained, according to Slater and Gordon research conducted recently by Roy Morgan.
Only a third of Australian road users (33 per cent) thought roads were being adequately maintained to keep drivers safe. Seventy-seven per cent of Sydneysiders, 59 per cent of Melbourne respondents and 56 per cent of Brisbane residents felt their roads were not being adequately maintained.
Slater and Gordon Roads Associate Emma Bussoletti said reporting an unsafe road to the council or State Government department could potentially help prove the local or State Government was at fault following an accident, especially if the hazard was known to authorities but no action was taken.
"Many of the injured road users we hear from seeking legal support have been involved in accident involving poorly maintained road surfaces such as potholes," Ms Bussoletti said.
"A lack of road maintenance can create significant hazards for motorists and can result in avoidable crashes involving injuries and event fatalities. Motorists should report any road maintenance hazards to the appropriate authority, depending on who manages the road, at the earliest opportunity."
Ms Bussoletti said Australian roads, in NSW, QLD and Victoria in particular, had been under major strain following extreme weather events including flooding and heavy rain and more needed to be done.
"Heavy rain has resulted in billions of dollars' worth of damage and it's likely we will see the tragic consequences of this with a potential rise in avoidable accidents on our roads. In some regional and rural areas, roads have just about been washed away. In speaking out about our local road issues, we can hopefully get damaged roads assessed and re-surfacing can take place as quickly as possible," Ms Bussoletti said.
"It can be especially dangerous for workers who are behind the wheel all day to earn a living. With some main roads having been closed due to flooding, there was no other option but to take vehicles on alternative roads with some being poor quality or unmade.
"No one should have to risk their car being damaged or risk being in an accident due to a poorly maintained or unsealed road."
