31 August 2011

The State Government today outlined the next phase of its plan to reduce death and injury on Tasmanian roads, continuing a focus on enhanced vehicle safety and increasing safety for young motorists.

The Minister for Infrastructure, David O'Byrne, today said the second Road Safety Action Plan (2011-2013) would support the Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2007-2016, and build on the Government's achievements to date.

"Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and we are committed to delivering results that help protect all road users," he said.

"Under the Tasmania Together and Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy, a key milestone was set to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on our roads by 20% on 2005 levels.

"And through the first Road Safety Action Plan, we have actually surpassed this goal, with a reduction of 32.5 per cent.

"This is the clearest indication that the approach we are taking to keeping road users safe is the right one."

Mr O'Byrne said the Government has now accepted the Road Safety Advisory Council's second Action Plan, running from 2011 to 2013.

"We have more work to do to meet the second target of a further 20% reduction in serious injuries and fatalities by 2015," he said.

"Key initiatives in the second plan include:

• Implementing target infrastructure projects to address run-off road and head on crashes (which account for 39% of serious crashes);
• Investigating further changes to the driver licensing system;
• Point-to-point speed enforcement;
• Introducing alcohol interlocks;
• Ongoing support for Community Road Safety Partnerships;
• Safer travel speeds; and
• Increased road safety education."

"I congratulate the Advisory Council and its Chair, John Gledhill, for their work in preparing this Action Plan.

"We share the common goal of seeing safer roads for all Tasmanians and these initiatives are part of that objective."

Mr O'Byrne said the majority of initiatives in the Action Plan would be funded from the Road Safety Levy.

"By using funding from the levy on these major initiatives, the Government ensures that it continues to get the most road safety benefits possible from the levy," he said.

"It also means we have the best chance of achieving our road safety targets and that means saving lives."

Tasmanian Government Media Statement

David O'Byrne, MP, Minister for Infrastructure

Contact: http://www.tas.gov.au