South Australian road safety strategy

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The South Australian Department of Transport and Urban Planning is the lead agency that coordinates the work of other State Government departments and community organisations involved in improving road safety in this state.

The South Australian Road Safety Strategy 2003-2010 outlines how the South Australian government aims to reduce the impact of road crashes on the community and meet the national target of reducing the road toll by 40% in 2010.

To assist in reducing the road toll the Government established two Councils – a Road Safety Ministerial Council and a Road Safety Advisory Council. They have consulted widely with community groups and individuals on 160 suggested initiatives, developed the strategies contained in the Strategy and will monitor and evaluate their implementation.

South Australian Road Safety Strategy 2003-2010
The Strategy focuses on the three main areas of Safer Roads, Safer People and Safer Vehicles. It covers improving road infrastructure, improving driver behaviour through education and legal enforcement, and improving vehicle safety.

1. Safer Roads
Roads that are planned, designed, and constructed to carry the expected traffic load and allow traffic to move safely.

This means:

• New roads and their environments comply with the latest design and safety standards, including those for people with disabilities.
• Existing roads are upgraded to decrease or remove hazards.
• Road users are provided with appropriate and timely information through the use of new technology.
• The special needs of vulnerable road users are addressed.

2. Safer People
People taking responsibility for their own safety and the safety of all other road users.

This means:

• Community attitudes to road safety are changed.
• Dangerous behaviour is limited and controlled by appropriate legislation and enforcement.
• Road users are educated in appropriate behaviour.

The particular issues addressed in this section of the plan are:

• Speeding
• Alcohol and drugs
• Fatigue
• Non-use of seat belts and child restraints
• Groups at higher risk of injury.

3. Safer Vehicles
Vehicles designed and built to provide the driver with the information and capacity to control the vehicle and to protect the occupants in the event of a crash.

This means:

• Vehicle safety standards are improved to better protect occupants and minimise harm to other road users.
• Roadworthiness standards of existing vehicles are maintained.
• Safety technologies are available in the Australian market.

The roles of State and Federal Government

The Federal Government has a role in funding, national regulation, research and coordination. However, most road safety policies and strategies are developed by State and Territory Governments, in collaboration with Local Governments.

Under the National Road Safety Strategy, each state establishes annual Action plans and reports on their progress to the national Australian Transport Council.

Links
South Australian Road Safety Strategy 2003 –2010 (599 kb)
South Australian Road Safety Action Plan 2003-04 (322 kb)
The National Road Safety Strategy (204 kb)
National Road Safety Action Plan for 2003 and 2004 (194 kb)
Road Trauma: Facts and Figures (732 kb)
Reducing Road Trauma in South Australia (199 kb)
Reducing Road Trauma: The Next Steps (675 kb)