The Hodgman Liberal Government is strongly committed to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on Tasmania’s roads through our Towards Zero vision.
Sadly, 2016 has seen 279 people seriously injured and 38 killed on Tasmanian roads.
Last year’s road toll of 38 fatalities is five more than the previous year and four more than that of the five year average.
In a small state like Tasmania, it is highly likely that one of those people was somebody you know or love.
The recently launched Towards Zero – Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2017-2026 (Towards Zero Strategy) continues to be based on the Safe System approach, which takes a holistic approach to the road system focusing on all safety factors and road users, and is used nationally to improve road safety.
To work towards a Safe System and achieve our long-term vision of zero serious injuries and deaths, the Towards Zero Strategy has a short-term target of reducing the number of annual serious injuries and deaths on Tasmanian roads to fewer than 200 by 2026.
To reach this target, the Government will focus on our highest risk road safety areas and on those initiatives that will gain the greatest reductions in serious injuries and deaths.
One of the first things we will do under the new Towards Zero Strategy is introduce a new motorcycle training and assessment regime in May 2017.
Motorcycle riders are significantly overrepresented in serious casualty crashes in Tasmania, while they are only 4 per cent of Tasmania’s total vehicle fleet, and this new training and assessment regime will adequately prepare them to safely negotiate our roads and other road users.
But all Tasmanian road users must take responsibility for arriving at their destination safely.
It’s worth the few extra minutes of travel time to slow down so that you and your passengers can arrive safely.
Road works remain prominent along many Tasmanian roads this summer, including the Midland Highway, where we are currently making a number of significant safety improvements.
Slower speed limits around road works benefits drivers, as there can be many hazards that can potentially cause crashes.
Slower speed limits are not meant to penalise drivers, they are there to protect them.
The Hodgman Government is also actively promoting safe driving to assist interstate and international drivers and riders to safely navigate Tasmanian roads.
We all have a role to play in making our roads safer. Let’s make 2017 a better year for road safety.
For more information on our road safety initiatives or a copy of the Towards Zero Strategy, visit www.transport.tas.gov.au