Now here’s a conundrum for you: On the face of it Australia’s roads have never been safer. The cars we drive are loaded with advanced safety features to stop accidents from happening in the first place, and to keep us safe should one still happen. The incidence of drink driving, one of our biggest killers, is down thanks to strict legislation, RBTs and greater public awareness. And on top of that the education of young drivers has also improved to enhance road safety and reduce accidents.
So why, after decades of decline, is Australia’s road toll climbing again? So far it’s all a bit of a mystery, and it’s a mystery that’s not helped by the lack of data sharing and transparency among states that could identify the most effective road safety measures, and target interventions where they’re most needed.
Well, it may be a mystery but there are quite a few theories as to why deaths are rising, and why our roads are becoming increasingly dangerous places to be.
More people, more crashes?
The first of them is simply population growth. There’s more of us, leading to more vehicles on the road and more traffic. All things being equal, more traffic means more accidents and fatalities.
Or perhaps it’s more people and an aging population. As the population ages there are more older drivers on the road who are statistically more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
But another explanation points to changes in driver behaviour, such as increased distractions from mobile devices, increasingly complex in-car infotainment systems, and a rise in the incidence of risky driving.
Bad roads
Poor road infrastructure has also been blamed. There are concerns that some roads, especially in rural and regional areas, are poorly maintained or not designed to handle the traffic they’re now carrying. This can lead to more accidents, particularly in areas with single-lane highways, or really rotten roads.
In difficult economic times financial pressures have also been blamed for forcing people to drive longer distances for work, often in poor conditions or during peak hours, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Some have pointed an accusing finger at policymakers who’ve been slow to address known issues, such as the need for more dual carriageways, and better road safety measures to prevent a rising road toll.
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Speed kills
Speed is all too frequently a factor in crashes, and Australia’s currently seeing a significant push to reduce speed limits across various regions.
Higher speeds increase the chances of crashes occurring and their severity when it happens. So, by reducing speed limits, the potential for crashes is minimised, and the impact of any crash is lessened. This is particularly important in areas with high pedestrian and cyclist traffic, such as school zones and residential areas.
Local governments and community groups are just two of the groups pushing for change. For example, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River in Western Australia has endorsed a three-year trial to lower speeds on 550 local roads. The trial aims to gather data and evidence to support broader speed reduction measures.
It’s the sort of solid statistical evidence that’s needed if we’re to solve the riddle of why the road toll’s now rising when most of us are driving much safer cars. They’re dangerous places, our roads, so take care over the festive season and into the new year to come.
At Fleetcare, we’re committed to helping you make safer and smarter decisions on the road. With solutions like telematics, driver behaviour monitoring, and comprehensive fleet management, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
Contact us to explore how Fleetcare can help enhance safety for your business and employees.