In a concerning development for road safety advocates, Australia has recorded its deadliest year on the roads in more than a decade. According to the latest report from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), 1,310 lives were lost on Australian roads in the 12 months leading up to June 30, 2024. This marks an 11.7% increase from the previous year and the highest toll since November 2012.
The surge in fatalities was particularly pronounced in certain states. New South Wales saw a 23% increase, while the Northern Territory experienced a staggering 107.7% jump in road deaths. Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia also reported significant increases.
In response to these alarming figures, the AAA is calling for a more data-driven approach to road safety. Michael Bradley, Managing Director of the AAA, emphasized the need for state and territory governments to share comprehensive data on crash causes, road quality, and the effectiveness of policing measures.
"Without good data, Australia has no credible plan to understand its current road trauma problems or prevent their continuation," Bradley stated. He argued that data sharing would reveal which states' road safety measures are most effective and help prioritize the most needed safety interventions.
The AAA is urging the federal government to make data sharing a condition for states and territories to receive future road funding grants. This push comes as the government negotiates a new National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects, which will oversee the distribution of $5 billion in federal road funding over the next five years.
While Queensland has agreed to share its road safety data, other states and territories have yet to follow suit. The AAA believes that improved data transparency could lead to more targeted and effective road safety measures, potentially reversing the current upward trend in fatalities.As Australia grapples with this road safety crisis, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether a data-driven approach can help bring down the road toll and save lives across the nation.
