Safer Roads for Queensland discussed at fourth road safety forum

Reducing the number of road fatalities and injuries will be the focus of the fourth Safer Roads, Safer Queensland forum being held in Brisbane this morning.

As at midnight last night (4 December) the road toll was 225, five below the same time last year (230).

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the forum would discuss strategies to reverse the upward trend of road fatalities and injuries.

“Nobody wants a loved one to be killed or seriously injured during their commute,” Mr Bailey said. “Yet everyone knows someone who has been impacted by a road crash. Individually and as a nation we must focus our efforts on what needs to be done to stop this unnecessary carnage.

“It is vital to listen to key community stakeholders and keep them engaged in the journey to improve safety on our roads to achieve zero fatalities and serious injuries. “We have already held three forums with road safety experts and key community representatives and these forums are absolutely crucial to developing solutions.” Mr Bailey said for every one fatality on Queensland roads, there were 25 hospitalised casualties. “Last year’s police statistics showed 6256 people were hospitalised in Queensland due to road trauma,” Mr Bailey said. “Serious injuries involving spinal or head injuries have lifelong repercussions for crash victims and the community. 

“The economic, social and emotional costs of serious road trauma on this scale are enormous and enduring. “That is why the Queensland Road Safety Strategy 2015-21 sets the ambitious vision of zero fatalities and serious injuries with an interim target to reduce serious injury road crashes by at least 30 per cent.”

A serious injury expert panel comprising of experts from academia, industry and government has been formed to guide the development of a program of work to reduce serious injury road crashes in Queensland.

Director of the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) Narelle Haworth, who will present at today’s forum, said conversation surrounding road safety was critical.

“These forums provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the concepts being considered by the panel,” Ms Haworth said. Mr Bailey said the panel would help shape the future of road safety.

“The specialist knowledge from industry experts and ideas from other road safety stakeholders are invaluable in mapping the direction of future road safety initiatives,” he said.

“I appreciate the knowledge, time and commitment everyone who attends the forum dedicates to reducing road trauma. I am hopeful these forums will continue to provide direction for road safety into the future.”

The Safer Roads, Safer Queensland forums were initiated by the Premier after the horrific Easter road toll in 2015. It is an initiative to bring in key stakeholders including vehicle and road safety advocates, driver trainers, engineering consultants, local and state government departments, Universities, Unions, cycling groups, motorcycling and motor vehicle associations.

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Bailey’s office – 0428 079 640