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Crucial data about road crashes is one step closer to being unlocked with all state and territory governments agreeing to release theirs as part of a funding agreement with the Federal Government.
Currently, vital data about crash causes and contributing factors are not reported uniformly across the country, hampering the efforts of authorities attempting to understand what is driving Australia’s increase in lives lost and serious injuries on our roads.
Transport Minister Catherine King this week announced the Commonwealth Government’s new five-year Federation Funding Agreement, which will now require jurisdictions to report detailed crash data, has been agreed to by all states and territories.
RAA is hopeful this will include data on the location and type of crashes; the state of our roads; crash causes and contributing factors such as distraction, drug and alcohol measurements, seat belt use and speed.
In the first nine months of 2024, Australia recorded 956 road deaths – the deadliest first nine months of the year since 2010.
RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade said this was a potentially lifesaving breakthrough.
“We welcome this commitment from the Federal Government, and all state and territory governments, to release vital crash data that will ultimately help to save lives on our roads,” Mr Reade said.
“Along with our federal counterpart in the AAA, we’ve been calling for more data transparency around the causes of crashes for several years.
“This is one of the most significant road safety policy reforms in recent times.
“Both Australia and South Australia are not currently on track to reach the targets in the state’s road safety strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in lives lost and 30% reduction in serious injuries by 2031.
“With comprehensive data comes the ability to analyse it and then develop targeted road safety campaigns and new initiatives – and a greater chance of these making a positive difference.
“For example, motoring groups like RAA have not been able to access the number of crashes caused by distraction or drugs and alcohol on a regular basis, and we look forward to seeing it made available.”