NatRoad is calling for the Government elected at the upcoming 2025 Federal Election to focus on road safety in a bid to stop the rising rate of crashes, injuries and deaths on our road network.
This was just one of the recommendations that NatRoad, Australia’s largest road transport association, announced in a national reform agenda launched today.
A total of 79 people died in fatigue-related crashes in NSW alone last year, a 47% increase on 2023, and the data shows 20 – 30% of all crashes across all vehicle types are caused by fatigue.
This National Driver Fatigue Week, NatRoad is recommending a portion of the funding already earmarked by Governments for road improvements should be redirected to rest areas. Additionally, heavy vehicle rest areas should be incorporated into the criteria within the star rating system.
Australian roads have seen a 27% increase in the overall incident rate for heavy vehicles over 12 months, and yet it has been previously shown that it takes raising road standards by just one star on the AusRAP rating system to reduce deaths by 50%.
NatRoad has urged the Government to deliver on its commitment to lift 80% of national highways to at least 3-stars by 2030, while requesting an extended commitment towards achieving 100% by 2035.
“Both Federal and State Governments need to lift their game to save lives,” said NatRoad CEO, Warren Clark.
“In 2024, 1,324 lives were lost on Australian roads, and that number has been steadily rising for the last four years.
“The budget has $120 Billion allocated for infrastructure improvements over the next decade, and in 2013 the cost of lifting all highways to 3-stars was estimated at just $4.7 billion. The money is there.”
The Road to 2028 is a national reform agenda launched by NatRoad, which aims to deliver a safer, more sustainable road freight industry for all Australians.
The projected 77% increase in road freight volume between 2020 and 2050 is placing Australia’s growth and prosperity at considerable risk, with the industry already short at least 26,000 drivers.
“The road freight industry is already at breaking point with a perfect storm of rising costs, escalating interest rates and increasing wages,” Mr Clark said.
“We can’t afford to put drivers and other road users at risk with the continued underinvestment in highway infrastructure.
“With the upcoming elections, NatRoad is calling on the Government to step up to their commitment to road safety.”
The Road to 2028 covers 5 key outcomes to address the most pressing concerns of the road transport industry.
“There are serious challenges facing trucking operators right now, and we’ve been calling these out for some time. We can’t and won’t wait for change. We must make it happen.” Clark explained.
“That’s why I spent considerable time in Canberra, meeting with Labor, Coalition and Independent members during the first sitting week of Parliament in February, taking them through the Road to 2028 priorities.”
“The future of our industry is at stake here.” Clark added.
