As COVID-19 restrictions ease and the minds of Australians turn to the school holiday period, Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz has urged motorists across Australia to drive safely on our roads.
Mr Buchholz said all motorists and road users had a vital role to play in promoting road safety and ensuring everyone gets home safely these school holidays.
"One road crash, one injury, one death is one too many - the impacts of road crashes are devastating, and no family should have to endure the loss of a loved one on our roads," Mr Buchholz said.
"School holidays are a great opportunity for families to take a well-deserved break and spend quality time together, with many choosing to get away and enjoy spectacular sites and experiences right across our beautiful country.
"While many of us know the road rules and to drive to the conditions, it is particularly important to take responsibility for ourselves and our passengers during holiday periods by being a well-rested, sober driver and ensuring everyone is buckled up.
"This is particularly important these school holidays. For many Australians this will be the first time they've been able to properly get out and about in many months, due to the necessary and life-saving COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place.
"This means we expect more people to be on our roads than we've seen since the pandemic began, including those embarking on long and inter-state trips - making it even more vital everyone plans ahead, takes their time, shares the driving and drives to the conditions."
Mr Buchholz said making the most of the holiday period meant keeping road safety at the front of all Australians' minds.
"While it's great we can start to get back out there, while still adhering to the health advice, the most important thing these holidays is making sure everyone stays safe on our roads and returns home to their families at the end of each day.
"That means road safety needs to stay in the front of everyone's minds," Mr Buchholz said.
"The Australian Government has continued to play its part, investing in critical projects nationwide under our record 10-year $100 billion land transport infrastructure pipeline. We are delivering better roads, to help improve road safety and to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries from road crashes in Australia.
"We have recently announced $500 million nationwide for a Targeted Road Safety Works package, which will boost jobs and the economy while investing in life-saving upgrades in every state and territory.
"Our Office of Road Safety is providing national leadership to improve road safety outcomes and we've invested in critical initiatives like the $8 million Driver Reviver Site Upgrade program to tackle driver fatigue and $12 million Road Safety Innovation Fund to support research in priority areas such as regional road safety and protecting vulnerable road users.
"However, these initiatives only succeed with the support of the community. All road users must keep road safety in the front of their minds each time they get behind the wheel, whether it's just a quick trip down to the park, up the coast or travelling interstate on an extended holiday.
"I urge everyone to take great care. And remember, road safety is everyone's responsibility these school holidays and always."
