The Western Australian (WA) Government has secured a funding partnership with the Commonwealth Government to boost the state’s Regional Road Safety Improvement Program.
For the first time, the Commonwealth Government has allocated $80 million to the program in 2020-21, with the State Government contributing its annual $20 million.
The program will be delivered immediately in 2020-21 and will see around 1400 km of roads treated, with shoulder sealing and audible edge lines being installed in every region of WA.
The treatments greatly reduce the number of ‘run off road’ crashes, which can result in severe trauma and are more common in regional areas. Modelling undertaken using roads where the same safety treatments have been introduced shows the strategy could reduce road trauma in regional WA by 60 percent
WA Local Government Association (WALGA) President, Mayor Tracey Roberts said the funding would ensure safer roads and provide a significant boost to regional jobs.
“Through WALGA State Council, the Local Government sector has resolved support for this initiative as an integral part of improving the safety of the regional road network, and we applaud the State Government for placing the road improvement program on the national agenda.
“With nearly two thirds of all serious crashes in regional WA being the result of a single vehicle running off the road, this program will help to lessen the terrible social and economic impact road trauma has on local communities.”
“This is a positive outcome for communities; we thank the Federal and State Governments, and look forward to the program developing over coming years to improve safety for all who travel in regional WA.”
