RACQ welcomes data-driven road funding announcement
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has congratulated the Federal Government on what can be described as the most impactful national road safety announcement in decades.
Transport Minister Catherine King has revealed a landmark five-year Federation Funding Agreement between States, Territories and the Commonwealth to share critical road crash data which will be used to inform policy decisions and funding allocations.
RACQ General Manager Advocacy Joshua Cooney said the agreement would usher in a new era of transparency and improve how roads are assessed, prioritised, and ultimately funded.
“Queensland is sadly headed for another terrible road toll and there is a very real risk that 2024 will be our deadliest in 15 years,” Mr Cooney said.
“This agreement is about putting taxpayers’ money where it is needed the most to improve the condition of dangerous roads and highways. At the end of the day, it’s about saving lives.
“Every Queenslander knows about the terrible state of the Bruce Highway and around 45% of it is rated just two stars out of five for infrastructure safety.
“The Bruce also has a Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) crash rate three to five times higher than major highways in New South Wales and Victoria.
“Today’s announcement means the Bruce’s deficiencies cannot be ignored because, for the first time, funding decisions will need to take crash data into account.
“There is already plenty of data to prove the Bruce Highway needs prioritising, there’s not a moment to waste.
“We join the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) in congratulating Minister King and the Albanese Government on their commitment to improve accountability and evidence-based decision making.”
The Federation Funding Agreement will require states and territories to report crucial data such as the location and type of crashes, the state of roads, causes of crashes related to risky behaviour, drug and alcohol measurements, seatbelt and helmet use, speed, driver fatigue, inexperience and distraction.
It follows years of advocacy by the AAA, including its Data Saves Lives campaign which was supported by RACQ and interstate motoring clubs.
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