WALGA: Contribution to road safety

Safer Roads Seminar25th August 2008

Presented by

Engel Prendergast

Towards Zero Philosophy• Humans break• People make mistakes/take risks• Should anyone die or be seriously injured

so we can move from A to B?

Shared responsibility• Everyone’s problem• All have a part to play

Safe Systems FrameworkSafe Vehicles Safe Speeds

Safe Roads and Roadsides

Safe Behaviours

Local Government

• 72% road network – 123,000 kms• 43% travel, 65% serious crashes• 2005-2006 - $274.3m maintaining – more

than half from own revenue• $120m shortfall just to maintain• Vital to increase safety

WALGA

• Member RSC• New road safety strategy• Three year action plan• RoadWise Program, Infrastructure Unit

and beyond

Safe Road Use

• Work with Local Governments and communities to facilitate local and regional delivery of road safety activities

• Community Road Safety Grants• Child car restraints, driver reviver, fleet

safety resource kit

Safe Vehicles• Provide support and resources for LGs to

promote purchase of 4 and 5 star fleet vehicles

Safe Speeds• Community and LG opposed to

blanket reductions• LG supportive of targeted speed

limit reduction• Working in areas like shopping

strips and roads with inappropriate limits

• Keeping LGs and community informed of trends, research and best practice

Safe roads and roadsides

Challenges:Lack of funding Escalating construction costsSkill shortagesGeographical distances Dispersed populations

Safe roads and roadsides

Meeting challenges:Advocating for fundingMore efficient use of fundingResearch into local roads analysisTraining needs and opportunities for LGs

Questions?