The mid-term review of the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 has revealed that Australia’s strategy needs stronger action, improved data and a broader focus on vehicle safety. The review also found that further action is needed to progress towards the 2030 road death reduction target.
Released on 17 September by Ernst & Young (EY), the independent review found that investment by governments has contributed to improvements in road and vehicle safety, data collection and the adoption of the Safe System approach. However, it also identified the need for further action as the national road toll continues to rise.
Data identified as a priority
The review identified several areas for further attention, including better use of data in decision-making, more timely performance monitoring and greater consistency and knowledge sharing between jurisdictions.
It also highlighted the need to respond to emerging challenges from e-mobility devices and maintain a focus on rural, regional and remote road safety.
The Federal Government has committed funding through the 2026–27 Budget for national research into the causal factors behind road trauma. Three university-based road safety research organisations will be invited to propose research examining the incidence, crash types and causes of road fatalities.
The research is intended to provide a clearer understanding of the factors contributing to crashes across different cohorts, transport modes and crash types.
Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said the review provided an opportunity to refine the national approach.
“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,” McBain said.
“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.”
The Government also said it is investing more than $14.4 billion over 10 years in safer roads through programs including the Black Spot Program, Roads to Recovery, the Active Transport Fund and the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program.
ANCAP highlights changing vehicle risks
The review found improvements in the safety performance of Australia’s light vehicle fleet, a development welcomed by ANCAP safety. In a press release, the organisation highlighted the contribution of independent vehicle testing, assessment and consumer information.
However, ANCAP said the review also showed that road safety risks are changing across different vehicle types.
During the period examined by the review, fatalities involving light commercial vehicles increased by by 12.1 per cent compared with the baseline period, while heavy vehicle fatalities increased by 7.2 per cent and motorcycle-related fatalities increased by 28.3 per cent compared with the baseline period. Passenger car fatalities increased by 0.3 per cent.
ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg said the findings reinforced the need to broaden the focus of vehicle safety.
“These findings show why Australia’s focus on safer vehicles must continue to broaden beyond passenger cars to include commercial vans, light and heavy trucks and motorcycles,” Hoorweg said.
She also pointed to the role of independent vehicle assessments in encouraging safety technology before it becomes mandatory.
“Regulation is not the only policy lever available to improve vehicle safety. ANCAP’s vehicle assessment programs can incentivise safety technology well in advance of regulation.”
AAA calls review a wake-up call
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has described the review as a “wake-up call for government”, continuing its call for a more data-driven approach to road safety. The AAA’s latest road safety dashboard recorded 1,325 road deaths in the 12 months to the end of June 2026, and states that the national target of reducing road deaths by 50 per cent by 2030 is not on track to be met.
The AAA has previously called for stronger national leadership and no-blame investigations into the underlying causes of road trauma, arguing that national analysis could identify system-wide factors contributing to rising deaths. Its benchmarking work at the end of 2025 found the 12-month road toll was 19.8 per cent higher than when the current strategy began.
The association has also highlighted the importance of making better use of crash data, particularly where different jurisdictions collect information in different ways.
The review will help inform priorities for the remainder of the decade.
The Government is now working with state and territory governments on the next National Road Safety Action Plan, with the review pointing to stronger monitoring, better use of evidence and closer collaboration as key elements.
Did you find this article interesting? Click the ‘heart’ button above to give it a like!
