Release data to help curb road deaths
The road toll continues to rise and national injuries still cannot be counted or reported, despite years of promises from governments that such progress on data collection is imminent.
Australia’s road toll climbed by 8.4 per cent in the past 12 months, despite the nation’s governments committing to halve it by 2030.
Newly released Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics data shows that in the 12 months to 31 July, 1,234 people died on roads across our country – 96 more deaths than in the previous corresponding period.
Road deaths rose by more than 20 per cent in NSW and South Australia, with Australia’s five largest states each recording increases.
Cyclist deaths rose 24.3 per cent over the same 12-month period; pedestrian deaths by 17.5 per cent; and motorcyclist deaths by 11.3 per cent.
| State or Territory |
Road deaths 12 months to 31 July 2022 |
Road deaths 12 months to 31 July 2023 |
Percentage Change |
Difference from NRSS July 2023 pro rata target* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 276 | 334 | 21.0% | 16.8% |
| VIC | 243 | 275 | 13.2% | 37.5% |
| QLD | 281 | 282 | 0.4% | 31.2% |
| SA | 81 | 99 | 22.2% | 19.3% |
| WA | 150 | 175 | 16.7% | 26.8% |
| TAS | 49 | 35 | -28.6% | 20.7% |
| NT | 44 | 23 | -47.7% | -32.4% |
| ACT | 14 | 11 | -21.4% | 83.3% |
| AUSTRALIA | 1,138 | 1,234 | 8.4% | 24.4% |
*The notional July 2023 target if the NRSS was on a linear trajectory towards its 2030 target.
Australia’s peak motoring body is greatly concerned by these numbers and the fact that national injuries remain unable to be counted or reported, despite years of promises from governments that such progress on data collection is imminent.
AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said: “It is unacceptable that most National Road Safety Strategy KPIs remain unable to be calculated or reported, let alone met.
“A more constructive and a more positive response from the Commonwealth is urgently needed”, he said. “It’s time the Commonwealth used the $10 billion of annual road funding it gives states and territories to compel public reporting of the road quality, crash causation, and law enforcement data currently kept from public view.
“Australians deserve transparency regarding where their tax dollars are spent, and they deserve an evidence-based response to a problem that’s killing 100 people every month.
“Road safety is an issue of political integrity for governments, and the days of politicians being allowed to choose where dollars go free of scrutiny and accountability need to end.”
The Commonwealth is currently negotiating a new five-year National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects with states and territories that will determine whether voters get the accountability they deserve. The AAA continues to ask that data transparency be included.