The Federal Government is taking action to reduce road accidents in Australia by improving how states share road safety data.
This will be a key part of upcoming federation funding agreement negotiations. According to a press release, the government will require states to provide a nationally consistent data set as a provision in these agreements.
Budget Investment in Road Safety Data
As part of this effort, a $21 million investment will be injected in the National Road Safety Data Hub which aims to deliver uniform, timely, and easy-to-understand data, and information nationwide. It seeks to help to prevent serious and fatal injuries on Australian roads.
The funding seeks to ensure that all data from all states and territories remain consistent.
“A clear picture, underpinned by data, about where best to target road safety funding will save lives and ensure we are investing in the projects that will make the biggest difference,” a government press release said.
Stressing the Importance of Improved Road Safety Data
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, Catherine King, emphasised the importance of infrastructure investments.
“We are increasing investments in transport infrastructure because we know that better roads boost efficiency, productivity, and safety. Better roads get us home quickly and safely, they keep trucks moving, and they get goods to market,” she said.
“Addressing the absence of consistent road safety data will complement the work we have already done since we came to Government to improve road safety,” she added.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Carol Brown, underscored the government’s commitment to road safety goals.
“This is important work to meet the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads. We have already started rolling out our $43.6 million National Road Safety Action Grants Program, with research and data being one of the key focuses,” she said.
Brown also mentioned ongoing efforts to develop the National Data Collection and Reporting Framework and the National Minimum Data Set, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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