road_safety_action_plan

Victoria’s
Road
Safety

Action
Plan22001136

Safe
roads
for all
Victorians

Contents

Foreword 3

Introduction 5

Key directions 5

} Serious injuries – a new focus 5
} Working together – a new approach 6
} Technology – new advances 6
} Research – new investigations 6
} Priority actions – new actions 6

Priority actions 7

} Drink driving 8
} Drug driving 10
} Speeding 11
} Distraction 13
} Pedestrians 15
} Cyclists 16
} Country road users 18
} Roads and speed limits 20
} Young drivers 22
} Older road users 24
} Motorcyclists 25
} Unlicensed drivers 27
} Trucks 29
} Vehicle safety 31

End notes 34

For this document and current
road safety information
visit roadsafety.vic.gov.au

Foreword

More than five million Victorians use our roads every evidence. This includes infrastructure, education
day, whether they’re behind the wheel, using public programs, increased use of alcohol interlocks, new
transport, on a motorbike, a bicycle, or on foot. research, promoting and encouraging new safety
Success in making our roads safer will only occur if technologies and strong enforcement measures
all of us on the roads make the right choices, talk the that clamp down on those who put our lives at risk.
toll down, and engage in a never ending discussion
about road safety. But we’ll also need to work in new ways.

But with more and more of us on the roads each year, Victoria will again lead the way in Australia by
and with so many different modes of transport using introducing a new injury measure. At the moment
our roads, this is becoming an even bigger challenge. there is no distinction between serious injuries such
as broken bones and the more life-changing and
Victoria is already an international leader in road safety. permanent injuries such as quadriplegia and brain
This has been achieved through commitment and a injury. So for the first time in Australia, Victoria will
strong community desire to reduce road trauma. This develop a severe injury category, which will focus our
has translated into a reduction in road tolls over the efforts to improve our safety response.
last seven years.
Our strategy also highlights the importance of a
In 2012 the road toll was the lowest yet – but the collaborative approach between government and the
toll still represents 282 people no longer with us, community. The Coalition Government is committed
and more than 5,000 people seriously injured. The to saving lives and reducing trauma by making the road
suffering and grief, and the changed financial and family network safe. This Action Plan is supported by a range
circumstances for the many affected leave deep and of other initiatives including a whole-of-government
lasting impacts. strategy to reduce the impact of alcohol and drug
abuse on the Victorian community. But we’re calling
In December 2012 the Victorian Coalition Government on you to do your part too. All Victorians – pedestrians,
announced $36 million in funding for a new cyclists, drivers and passengers – have a responsibility
rehabilitation centre for people with an acquired to make better, safer choices on the road. It’s never an
brain injury. It will be established at Alfred Health’s accident when road users make a dangerous choice.
Caulfield Hospital.
When we announced the Victorian Coalition
More than 1,200 Victorians are living with an acquired Government’s establishment of a Ministerial Road
brain injury from a road accident. Every four days, Safety Council, we recognised how critical it was to
someone in Victoria suffers a severe brain injury in a reduce trauma on our roads and improve the safety
road crash, which results in a profound and irreversible of the state’s road network. This new approach, our
change to their lives. These injuries are the hidden toll strategic direction and action plans detailing what
of road trauma. we, as a Government, will do, and what you can do,
will get us there. When we all work together to make
Our ideal must always be that there will be zero deaths better choices on the roads, lives can be saved, severe
and zero injuries on our roads. In this strategy we injuries can be reduced and we can all get home safely
outline an approach to pursue new and ambitious to our loved ones.
objectives over the next 10 years, in particular:
The Hon Ted Baillieu MLA
}} reducing deaths by more than 30 per cent; and Premier
}} reducing serious injury by more than 30 per cent.

Combining approaches that already work with new
initiatives can make a dramatic difference.

The Victorian Coalition Government is driving the
next generation of road safety and is making a
$1 billion commitment to road safety by continuing
with the things we know work, based on solid scientific

2
3



Introduction Key directions

This is the first of three Action Plans which sets In this action plan we will continue doing the things we
out the steps we will take to achieve the vision, know work such as using the Safe System approach
targets and direction outlined in Victoria’s Road to road safety to avoid crashes or reduce their impacts.
Safety Strategy 2013–22.
This approach works on roads, roadsides, vehicles and
In this first Action Plan (2013-2016), we present the people’s behaviour to reduce the force with which a
priority activities to reduce death and serious injury on body is hit in a crash so that a person is less likely to be
our roads by more than 30 per cent, reducing the road injured or killed, knowing that no matter how good the
toll from 282 (2012) to below 200, and cases of serious system is, and how careful people are, there will always
injury from 5,500 to below 3,850. be human error and crashes are inevitable.

We have chosen the actions in this plan as the most While we will continue with existing initiatives that we
effective to get us to our targets based on: know improve road safety, new measures in a number
of new areas will help us reach our ambitious targets.
}} the input from more than 16,500 survey responses
and submissions from members of our community Serious injuries – a new focus
and organisations obtained during the 2012
consultation process; and Like other jurisdictions around the world, Victoria has
not reduced its serious injuries at the same rate as it
}} an evidence based approach – the Monash has reduced its road deaths.
University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has
modelled the package of initiatives to make sure they In the last 25 years the road toll has been reduced by
deliver significant safety benefit. 60 per cent but the ‘hidden road toll’ of serious injuries
has only been reduced by around 45 per cent in the
Given the diverse needs of the Victorian community and same period. So this action plan aims to dramatically
the community’s expectation that dollars will be spent reduce this hidden road toll.
wisely, we have chosen initiatives that will give
the community the greatest road safety benefit. One of the first steps is to create a new reporting
measure to highlight our most severely injured crash
victims. At the moment, most states in Australia define a
serious injury as anything that results in a person being
admitted to hospital for one or more nights.

The new definition of ‘severe injury’ will differentiate
between those relatively minor injuries and severe,
life-changing injuries such as quadriplegia and brain
injury. The impact of these injuries is terrible and if we
turn deaths into severe injuries, we have only done
part of the job.

This new reporting measure will help us to develop a
severe injury toll on our roads.

Alongside our existing death and serious injury
measures this new severe injury category will give
us more accurate and sophisticated knowledge
and information so that we can tailor our safety
response to not only reduce road deaths, but also
life-changing injuries.

These measures will also make people more aware of
the real costs of risky behaviour on our roads. Our work
will be assisted by the Parliament of Victoria’s Road
Safety Committee Inquiry into Serious Injury, which is
now underway.

4
5

Working together – We’re also expecting a significant safety benefit
a new approach from Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems
based on an emerging technology where vehicles
We will also work in closer partnership with the people communicate with each other and road infrastructure
of Victoria. The Victorian Government will take strong to help avoid crashes.
action to make the road system safe. We will use
engineering to make vehicles, roads and roadsides Already, modelling is showing that the total number
safer, but this is only effective if people on the roads of fatal and serious casualty crashes could be reduced
make the right decisions to stay safe. by as much as 25 to 35 per cent.

We will support people through a renewed focus in VicRoads will design new roads so that they can
education so that people know the responsible thing support these technologies as they come on line.
to do and know the risks and potentially devastating
results of unsafe behaviour. Research – new investigations

We’ll also give people tools to make more responsible We’re putting considerable resources into cutting edge
choices, for example – Intelligent Speed Assist which research such as an Enhanced Crash Investigation
will help drivers comply with speed limits. Study to increase the focus on serious injuries to give
us better information to develop countermeasures to
But where people do the wrong thing and put their reduce both deaths and serious injuries.
own and others’ lives at risk, we will come down hard
with stronger enforcement and tougher penalties. We’re also gaining a better understanding of the
relationship between using mobile phones while driving
Government working on its own to make the and road crashes. Building on world leading research
roads safe can only achieve so much. This new from the United States, Victoria will be part of a ‘real life’
collaboration underlines the responsibility that driving study which will examine what drivers actually do
everybody on the roads has to make good choices and how often, in normal and safety critical situations,
to stay safe. and their interactions with other people on the road.

We all need to do more and do better if we are to These studies will help us develop a new approach
reach our targets of reducing the death and serious to some of our most difficult road safety problems,
injury tolls by more than 30 per cent. and give us solid data that will help us develop new
initiatives for future Action Plans.
Technology – new advances
Priority Actions – new actions
Advancements in vehicle safety technology give us
enormous potential to reduce both the number of The following section outlines the new actions we’re
crashes and their severity when they do happen. taking for the next three years to help us meet our
Airbags, electronic stability control, alcohol interlocks targets. While we’ll work across many areas, we’ll
and seatbelts have proven themselves in saving lives. concentrate our efforts on:

We will closely monitor new road safety technologies }} tackling the main contributors to trauma on our
and, in collaboration with the Federal Government, roads – speed, and drink driving are involved in
work towards a more rapid adoption of new design more than half of all deaths; and
rules so we can fast-track new safety technology as
it comes on to the market. }} protecting the people most at-risk – motorcyclists,
pedestrians and cyclists.

By focusing on these crucial elements we will
make a significant contribution to meeting our targets
and saving people from death and serious injury on
our roads.

Priority actions

We all need to
do more if we
are to reduce
deaths and serious
injuries on our
roads

6
7

Drink driving

Strategic direction

Reduce road trauma from
drink driving through
a focus on vehicle
technology, education
and a zero tolerance
enforcement regime.

Background What we’re doing

Drink driving accounts for 25 to 30 per cent of deaths Engineering
and 11 per cent of serious injuries on Victoria’s roads.1 Expand the fitting of alcohol interlocks to
Repeat drink drivers make up 30 per cent of all drivers the vehicles of all convicted drink drivers
caught drink driving.
In the future, we expect that alcohol interlocks will
What you told us become a standard feature of all new vehicles sold
in Australia.
}} 89 per cent agreed that drink drivers should face
longer bans from driving or owning a car. Until then, we’re expanding the current alcohol
interlock program from applying only to Blood Alcohol
}} 83 per cent agreed that there should be an increase Concentrations of .15 or higher and repeat drink
in the number of drink drivers required to have drivers, to applying to every convicted drink driver –
alcohol interlock devices fitted to their vehicles. including low-level and first offences. This will reduce
the menace of drink driving on our roads.
}} 82 per cent agreed that there should be an increase
in awareness about the dangers of drink driving. Education
Increasing awareness of drink driving risks
What we know works
The TAC will continue delivering high quality, thought
Alcohol interlocks are highly effective for repeat drink provoking public education campaigns that improve
drivers because they stop the car from starting if the people’s understanding of the role of drink driving in
driver has been drinking. road trauma.

Research suggests that if alcohol interlocks were
a standard feature in all Victorian cars, approximately
50 lives and 500 serious injuries would be saved
each year.

Enforcement
Impounding the vehicles of first time,
high-level drink drivers

Impound the vehicles of drivers with Blood Alcohol
Concentrations of .10 or higher, rather than just repeat
drink drivers. This will be a powerful deterrent to drink
driving, additional to the immediate licence suspension
which already applies.

Toughening penalties

Create a new offence with a tough penalty for driving
under the combined influence of alcohol (over legal
BAC) and illicit drugs.

What you can do

}} If you plan to drive, plan not to drink.
}} If you plan to drink, consider alternative transport

options such as a taxi or public transport.
}} Offer to be the designated driver.
}} Voluntarily put an alcohol interlock into your car.

8
9

Drug driving

Background What we’re doing

Illicit drugs are a factor in around 20 per cent of all driver Education
deaths, while abuse of some prescription medications is TAC media campaigns
emerging as a major road safety concern.2
An alarming 50 per cent of self-confessed drug drivers
There is a growing recognition of the road safety claimed in a 2011 survey that illicit drugs have little or
problems associated with the abuse of pharmaceutical no effect on their driving ability. The TAC will undertake
drugs such as benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax) research based public awareness campaigns to:
across Victoria.3 There is also significant evidence
of a relationship between the abuse of certain }} improve understanding by health professionals
pharmaceutical drugs, driving impairment and and the community of the role of illicit drugs in road
crash risk. trauma; and

Current Victorian research shows that where drivers }} educate drivers and riders about the effects and
with three or more drugs in their blood (alcohol, illicit risks associated with driving and taking prescription
drugs and inappropriate levels of prescription drugs) medications.
are involved in crashes, they are found to be at fault
in more than 95 per cent of cases.4 Developing ways to inform and identify
issues surrounding drug use
What you told us
Conduct world-leading research into crashes involving
}} 89 per cent agreed that repeat drug drivers alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription medications to get
should be required to have counselling by medical crucial data to make our education and enforcement
professionals. more effective.

}} 88 per cent supported increased testing for This will lead to the creation of better tools to identify
drug drivers. drivers who are alcohol and drug addicted, and better
tools to help them change their behaviour because they
}} 87 per cent supported an increase in public generally don’t respond to sanctions like suspending
awareness about the dangers of drug driving. their licence, fines and demerit points.

}} 86 per cent supported increased penalties for Enforcement
drug driving.
Toughening penalties and sanctions
Strategic direction
}} Expand and increase testing for drug driving.
Adopt a much tougher and }} Create a new offence with a tough penalty for driving
more sustained approach
to detecting and penalising under the combined influence of alcohol (over legal
drug drivers. Work with the Blood Alcohol Concentration) and illicit drugs.
community to strengthen }} Develop objective measures of illicit drug use which
the management of will give magistrates the tools to apply more
prescription medications effective sanctions.
to support safe mobility.
What you can do

}} Don’t take drugs and drive.

}} Visit the Australian Drug Foundation website for
information about illicit drugs and driving risk
(adf.org.au).

}} Check with your doctor whether you can drive while
you’re on your prescription medication.

Speeding

Background Strategic direction

Speed contributes to nearly 100 road deaths and Help drivers comply
1,700 serious injuries each year, and costs the state with speed limits through
about $1 billion every year. vehicle technology
and the setting of clear
Research shows that in a 60km/h zone the risk and simple speed limits,
of a crash doubles for every 5km/h the speed limit as well as increased
is exceeded. And travelling at 70km/h in a 60km/h enforcement of
zone nearly quadruples the risk of a crash. speed limits.

Pedestrians hit at 40km/h are 75 per cent less likely
to die than those hit at 50km/h, according to the
Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC).

So reducing speeding is crucial to improving
road safety.

What you told us

}} 73 per cent agreed there should be an increase in
public education about the dangers of speeding.

}} 58 per cent agreed that new vehicles should be
required to have speed alert technologies such as
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA).

}} The majority of submissions contended that tougher
penalties, an increased police presence and more
speed cameras were the best ways of stopping
motorists from speeding.

What we know works

Experts estimate speed camera technology reduces
crashes causing injury by up to 47 per cent at
intersections.

Vehicles fitted with Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) can
detect the speed limit in which they’re travelling and
can then alert the driver if they’re going over the speed
limit. The vehicle can even override the driver and
reduce the speed itself.

Research from the United Kingdom shows ISA has the
potential to reduce injury crashes by 36 per cent and
fatal crashes by 59 per cent depending on the
ISA system in operation.5

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11

What we’re doing What you can do

Engineering }} Drive within the speed limit.
Introducing Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA)
}} Drive to conditions so if it’s raining, or there are
Develop a strategy for the implementation of ISA – hazards, slow down.
an in-car technology that reminds drivers what speed
limit they are travelling in. }} Put an Intelligent Speed Advisory System into
your vehicle.
Implementing outcomes of the Victorian
Speed Limit Review }} Help us catch those that risk our safety through
an expanded hoon reporting facility.
Simplify speed zones by:

}} gradually phasing out 90km/h and 70km/h
speed zones;

}} removing frequent speed limits changes over short
distances; and

}} reducing sign clutter on busy roads.

Drivers will see fewer speed zones, reducing potential
confusion and helping people drive within speed limits.

Education
Increasing awareness of the risks of
speeding

}} The TAC will continue to develop campaigns that
educate the community about the risks associated with
travelling over the limit and at speeds inappropriate for
the conditions.

}} VicRoads and the TAC will increase awareness of
how effective ISA is and encourage people to install it
in their vehicles.

Enforcement
Increasing our capacity to catch people
speeding

}} Increase our use of automated speed enforcement,
including point-to-point, mobile, speed and red light
camera systems.

}} Work towards resolving the current inequity that exists
between motorcyclists and other road users where
motorcyclists are not detected when committing traffic
offences due to the lack of a front number plate.

}} Increase the penalty for obscured number plates from
the current fine of $141.

Distraction

Background What we’re doing

Texting increases the risk of a crash or near-crash Engineering
by up to 15 times for car drivers and over 20 times Voluntary blocking of mobile phones
for truck drivers.6 while driving

Eighty per cent of crashes and 65 per cent of near Promote phone applications that silence incoming
crashes involve driver inattention in the few seconds phone calls and messages when a person
prior to the onset of the crash or near-crash.7 Getting is driving.
distracted doesn’t take much – in car distractions come
from many sources, such as our passengers, mobile Reducing visual clutter on the roads
phones, radios, CD player and navigation equipment.
Reduce sign clutter by reviewing areas where signs
Visual clutter on the road, like too many advertising are competing with each other and distracting drivers.
and road advisory signs, makes it difficult for people
to detect changes and undermines people’s ability to Education
keep to the speed limit and follow traffic signs. This is Increasing awareness of distracting
particularly difficult for older drivers. technologies

What you told us Public education campaign focussing on the effects
of distracting technologies such as mobile phones,
}} 89 per cent agreed that drivers found texting while headphones and tablet computers.
driving should face tougher penalties.
Enforcement
What we know works Extending the ban on mobile phone use

According to research, making sure you do not take Broaden the ban on mobile phone use by probationary
your eyes from the road for more than two seconds is P1 drivers to include P2 drivers. Currently, only
critical to reducing crashes. P1 drivers (first year probationary drivers) must not
use a mobile phone while driving, including hands-free
The United States National Highway Traffic Safety devices, while P2 drivers are permitted to use hands-
Administration estimates that a driver whose attention free devices.
is taken off the road for two seconds becomes twice
as likely to be in a crash. Sending or reading a text Introducing tougher and more effective
message takes 4.6 seconds. penalties for mobile phone use while
driving
Strategic direction
Provide greater deterrence to distracted driving, through
Introduce initiatives that stronger sanctions for drivers who are detected using a
reduce the risks associated mobile phone while driving.
with distraction and
inattention. Implement strict What you can do
enforcement measures that
deter illegal mobile phone }} Don’t use a mobile phone while driving – particularly
use. Improve people’s to text.
understanding of the risks
of distraction. }} Avoid using headphones to ensure you can hear
approaching traffic, particularly if you are a pedestrian
or cyclist.

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13

A pedestrian hit by a vehicle
travelling at 50km/h is four
times more likely to be killed
or seriously injured than if hit

at 40km/h.

Pedestrians

Background What we’re doing

A pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h is four Engineering
times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than if Using 40km/h zones to improve pedestrian
hit at 40km/h. and cyclist safety

On average, 46 pedestrians are killed each year on Develop guidelines to enable greater use of 40km/h
Victorian roads. zones where and when the risks of pedestrian or
cyclist crashes are high.
What you told us
Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety
}} 75 per cent of cyclists and pedestrians supported in ‘black areas’
expanding 40km/h zones in areas of high
pedestrians and cyclist activity. Develop a new ‘black area’ program that will provide
safer infrastructure where clusters of pedestrian and
}} 77 per cent supported an increase in the policing cyclist crashes occur.
of unsafe pedestrian behaviour.
Providing safer infrastructure on local
}} 75 per cent supported increasing enforcement roads
against unsafe driving behaviour around pedestrians.
Implement a grants program for local government to
}} 67 per cent supported increasing safety education provide safer walking infrastructure.
for drivers on how to share the road with
pedestrians. Education
Encouraging safe road sharing among
}} 61 per cent supported increasing the number of all road users
pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian facilities.
Increase awareness of the vulnerability of pedestrians
What we know works and encourage safer and more considerate road sharing
among drivers and pedestrians.
Experts estimate that the number of pedestrian and
cyclist injuries in Melbourne’s strip shopping centres that Improving driveway safety
have introduced a 40km/h speed zone has reduced by
nearly 17 per cent. Deliver public education campaigns to increase
awareness of driveway safety and safety in low
Strategic direction speed environments.

Provide pedestrians with Enforcement
improved infrastructure
and safer vehicle speeds Increase enforcement of unsafe behaviour that
to reduce their risk and endangers pedestrians.
support the uptake of
sustainable travel modes. What pedestrians can do

}} Cross safely using traffic lights or pedestrian
crossings.

}} Pause the music and don’t use the phone while
crossing the road.

What drivers can do

}} Take your time, especially at intersections,
to check for pedestrians.

}} Drive within the speed limit.

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15

Cyclists

Background What we’re doing

A cyclist hit by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h is four Engineering
times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than Using 40km/h zones to improve pedestrian
if hit at 40km/h. and cyclist safety

On average seven cyclists are killed each year on Develop guidelines to enable greater use of 40km/h
Victorian roads. zones where and when the risks of pedestrian or
cyclist crashes are high.
The proportion of crashes involving cyclists is currently
significantly higher at roundabouts than elsewhere. In Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety
Victoria cyclists are involved in nine per cent of fatal and in ‘black areas’
serious injury crashes, while at roundabouts 25 per cent
of fatal and serious injury crashes involve cyclists. Develop a new ‘black area’ program that will provide
safer infrastructure where clusters of pedestrian and
What you told us cyclist crashes occur.

}} 84 per cent agreed with tackling unsafe cycling Developing new cycling-safe roundabouts
behaviour through penalties and enforcement.
Modify the design and function of roundabouts to give
}} 79 per cent agreed that fines for cyclists who greater safety to cyclists.
disobey road rules should be the same as fines
for motorists. Providing safer infrastructure on local roads

}} 76 per cent supported increasing the number of Implement a grants program for local government to
separated bike lanes and paths. provide safer cycling infrastructure.

}} 75 per cent of cyclists and pedestrians supported Education
expanding 40km/h zones in areas of high Encouraging safe road sharing among
pedestrians and cyclist activity. all road users

}} 73 per cent of survey respondents supported Increase awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists and
increasing driver education on how to share the road encourage safer and more considerate road sharing
with cyclists. among drivers and cyclists.

What we know works Enforcement
Targeted enforcement
Experts estimate that the number of pedestrians and
cyclist injuries in Melbourne’s strip shopping centres that Increase enforcement of unsafe behaviour that
have introduced a 40km/h speed zone has reduced by endangers cyclists and continually enforce cyclist
nearly 17 per cent. compliance with all road rules, especially obeying
traffic signals and helmet wearing.
Strategic direction
Reviewing road rules
Provide cyclists with
improved infrastructure Review road rules and legislation to further protect cyclist
and safer vehicle speeds safety and ensure cyclists do not put others at risk.
to reduce their risk and
support the uptake of What cyclists can do
sustainable travel modes.
}} Make yourself visible with reflective or light coloured
clothing.

}} Ensure you have lights on while riding at night.
}} Always wear a helmet.
}} Use bike lanes and paths when you can.
}} Stay alert and avoid distractions like headphones.

What drivers can do

}} Take your time, especially at intersections, to check
for cyclists.

}} Drive within the speed limit.

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17

Country road users

Background What we’re doing

People in the country are three times more likely to Engineering
die and 40 per cent more likely to be seriously injured Expanding the Safer Road Infrastructure
in road crashes than those in metropolitan Melbourne. Program

Nearly two thirds of all fatalities on Victoria’s rural and Expand the Safer Roads Infrastructure Program (SRIP),
regional roads are local residents. which aims to reduce the incidence and severity of
crashes along roads with a relatively high number of
Around a third of all fatalities on rural and regional serious casualty crashes.
roads occur when a single vehicle leaves the road
and hits a tree. $100 million per year over the next ten years to
improve the safety of Victoria’s roads and roadsides on
Drink driving fatalities are nearly three times higher treatments such as the sealing of shoulders, installation
in rural and regional Victoria than in metropolitan of rumble lines, wire rope barrier or guardrail and
Melbourne when population is taken into account. intersection improvements.

What you told us Country roads and bridges

}} 81 per cent supported putting in more protective Complete delivery of the $160 million state-wide
barriers and removing hazards. program of works to improve country roads and bridges

}} Education should be conducted through trusted Improving the safety of country roads
community hubs like sports and social clubs. for motorcyclists

}} A higher priority should be put on maintenance of Continue to improve the safety of country roads under
regional and rural road infrastructure, including wider the Motorcycle Blackspot Program targeting popular
shoulders on roads, sealed edge lines, and better touring routes and specific sites that have particular
line marking. risks for motorcyclists.

What we know works Improving level crossing safety in
country Victoria
Investing in the safety of our roads and roadsides is a
proven measure to reduce road trauma. Evaluation of Improve safety at Victoria’s regional level crossings by
the Safer Road Infrastructure Program shows a 36 investing in measures such as the installation of boom
per cent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes barriers and flashing lights.
at those sites that have been treated.
Using 40km/h zones to improve pedestrian
and cyclist safety

Develop guidelines to enable greater use of 40km/h
zones where and when the risks of pedestrian or cyclist
crashes are high.

Strategic direction

Improve the safety of
Victoria’s rural and regional
roads and roadsides. Target
unsafe driving/riding in
country Victoria through
intelligence-led enforcement
and targeted education.

Education
Talk the Toll Down

The TAC Talk the Toll Down campaign encourages
country Victorians to talk about road safety through
local newspapers sharing stories of road trauma and
highlighting local road safety issues, encouraging
regional communities to keep safe and keep each
other safe.

Helping disadvantaged young people
in country Victoria gain critical driving
experience

The TAC will continue to fund the L2P learner
driver mentor program delivered by VicRoads,
which helps learners under 21 years who don’t
have a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the
driving experience they need to apply for a
probationary licence.

Educating recreational and weekend riders

Deliver new campaigns on the risks associated with
recreational and weekend motorcycle riding in country
Victoria and on long route rides.

Enforcement
Strengthening enforcement in country
Victoria

Continue to deliver on the regional Victoria road trauma
reduction strategy through more strategic and targeted
enforcement of drink driving, expanded roadside drug
testing and increased use of speed detection devices.

What you can do

}} Drive to the speed limit and road conditions.

}} Don’t drink and drive.

}} Make sure you are rested before you start a long
journey and take a break every two hours.

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19

Roads and
speed limits

Background Strategic direction

Road deaths and serious injuries happen most often Incorporate safe system
at intersections and on rural and regional roads with principles into the design
speed limits of 100km/h where a single vehicle runs of roads and roadsides
off the road and collides with a roadside object such and the setting of
as a tree or a pole. speed limits and develop
innovative infrastructure
Much of Victoria’s growth is in outer metropolitan solutions.
Melbourne, and the design of urban environments
has a major effect on where and how people travel and
therefore on their road safety.

Paths for safe walking and cycling, public transport,
local services and amenities reduce the need for
car travel, reducing deaths and serious injuries and
providing substantial community health benefits.

What you told us

}} New and better infrastructure is needed.
}} A higher priority should be given to maintenance

of regional and rural road infrastructure, including
wider shoulder on roads, sealed edge lines, and
better line marking.
}} Strong support for making roadsides clear of trees
and road furniture.
}} 76 per cent supported improving the visibility of road
signs and making road features less complicated.
}} 76 per cent supported increasing the number of
separated bike lanes and paths.

What we know works

In Victoria, there are three common categories of
crashes: crashes at intersections, head-on crashes
and crashes where vehicles go off the road.

The TAC-funded Safer Roads Infrastructure Program,
delivered by VicRoads, has reduced these types of
crashes and where work has been done, fatal and
serious injury crashes have dropped by an average
36 per cent.

What we’re doing

Engineering
Making our roads and roadsides safer

}} Boost expenditure on the Safer Roads Infrastructure
Program to $100 million per year over the next ten
years, or $1 billion over the life of the strategy.

}} Continue to improve the safety of roads under the
Motorcycle Blackspot Program targeting popular
touring routes and specific sites that have particular
risks for motorcyclists.

Road network management – SmartRoads

The SmartRoads approach gives different kinds of
transport priority on key roads. So while all forms of
traffic will be able to use each road, certain routes will
be developed to give priority to cars or trucks, or public
transport, or pedestrians and cyclists.

Improving level crossing safety

}} Remove the worst level crossings in Melbourne.

}} Improve safety at Victoria’s regional level crossings
by investing in the installation of boom barriers and
flashing lights.

Working with developers to incorporate
road safety in the design of new suburbs
and developments

Make sure that new suburbs are designed with
infrastructure that will give people safe travel choices.

Implementing outcomes of the Victorian
Speed Limit Review

We will simplify speed zones by:

}} gradually phasing out 90km/h and 70km/h
speed zones;

}} removing frequent speed limits changes over
short distances; and

}} reducing sign clutter on busy roads.

Drivers will see fewer speed zones and this will
reduce potential confusion and help people drive
to the speed limits.

What you can do

}} Drive to the conditions, so if there are hazards
slow down.

}} Report hazards where you see them.

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Young drivers

Strategic direction Background

Continue to improve Road crashes are the single biggest killer of young
the safety of young Victorians aged 18-25 years.
drivers through stronger
enforcement, incentives Young drivers make up more than a quarter of all drivers
and countermeasures killed in Victoria, yet this age group represents only
that target the road safety about 12 per cent of all Victorian licence holders.
hazards that put young
drivers at particular risk. Federal Government research found that 80 per cent of
23 and 24 year olds admitted to recently exceeding the
speed limit and 55 per cent said they recently used a
mobile phone while driving.8

What you told us

}} 92 per cent supported increasing education of
young drivers around road safety risks.

}} 81 per cent supported increasing policing of unsafe
driving behaviour by young drivers.

}} 70 per cent support increasing penalties for unsafe
driving by young drivers.

What we know works

In Victoria, new drivers are introduced to driving
progressively through the Graduated Licensing System.

The system provides a structured transition as the new
driver’s experience and maturity increase. Evaluation
of the new Graduated Licensing Scheme is showing
it to be highly effectively in bringing down the risks for
Victoria’s young drivers with 31 per cent, or 75 fewer
first-year drivers, involved in fatal and serious injury
crashes per year.

What we’re doing Helping young disadvantaged Victorians
gain critical driving experience
Education
Targeting information to young The TAC will continue to fund the L2P learner driver
people likely to take high risks mentor program which helps learners less than 21
when they’re driving years who don’t have a supervising driver or vehicle to
gain the driving experience they need to apply for
Identify young people most likely to engage in a probationary licence.
high-risk driving behaviour and deliver a supportive
education program tailored to their needs that Enforcement
encourages safer driving. Extending the ban on mobile phone use

Helping our children become good drivers We will extend the ban on mobile phones from
probationary P1 drivers to P2 drivers.
}} Make parents and guardians aware of the effects
of their role in modelling positive driving for their Currently, only P1 drivers (first year probationary drivers)
children. must not use a mobile phone while driving, including
hands-free devices, while P2 drivers have been
}} Remind parents about how they can continue to permitted to use hands-free devices.
help their children remain safe in their first few years
of driving. What young drivers can do

Reducing distraction from peer }} Don’t have your party in the car – keep the
passengers distractions like music and chatting down so
you can concentrate.
Use youth related education campaigns to raise
awareness of the risks associated with distraction }} Drive the safest car you can afford.
from peer passengers. Check howsafeisyourcar.com and the first
car buyers list for young people.
Extending the Fit to Drive program to be
available in all schools in Victoria }} Drive within the speed limit.

Fit to Drive is a community program for young people }} Don’t drink and drive when you come off your Ps.
that concentrates on personal safety and responsibility
giving them strategies to make them safer on the }} Take it easy when you first get your Ps, build up to
road. The program actively encourages and empowers long distances and late night driving.
young people as road users to look after themselves
and their friends. }} Leave the phone alone – don’t talk, text or surf the
Net while driving.
Targeting those with a history of offending
What parents and guardians
Develop a Fit to Drive program for young offenders and can do
young people at risk of traffic offences.
}} Make sure they have safe transport, and consider
still picking them up from parties yourself even
though they have a licence.

}} Talk to kids about staying safe on the
roads and model safe driving habits by driving
to and obeying all road rules.

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Older road users

Background What we know works

Currently, drivers aged 75 years and above have a In 2003, the Victorian Parliamentary Road Safety
higher risk of dying in a crash than any other age group Committee conducted an Inquiry into Road Safety for
when the relatively short distances they travel are taken Older Road Users and recommended that age-based
into account. assessment not be introduced as it does not lead to
improved road safety outcomes.
With the number of Victorians aged 75 years and above
forecast to increase by 42 per cent by 2022, improving Recent research supports this recommendation as it
the ability of older Victorians to get around safely is a shows that Victorian older drivers are at least as safe
vitally important community health issue.9 as drivers in other Australian states or territories where
there is some form of age-based assessment.
What you told us
What we’re doing
}} 85 per cent of survey respondents supported
educating older drivers on how to assess if they’re Engineering
safe to continue driving. Reducing the complexity of the
road environment
}} 85 per cent of survey respondents supported
providing more alternative transport options for }} Simplify Victoria’s road environment with less
older people. complex intersections and improved road signage.

}} 76 per cent of survey respondents supported }} Clearer signs at major intersections and on major
improving the visibility of road signs and making road routes to give older drivers advanced warning to
features less complicated. make manoeuvring decisions.

Strategic direction Education
Letting people know about what will
Support the safe mobility keep them safe
of all older people through
information to support Target older drivers, their friends, family and medical
safe travel choices and by practitioners with information like the Victorian Older
improving infrastructure Drivers’ handbook and the SafeDrive seminar program,
design for older drivers to help older drivers make good decisions about how
and pedestrians. they get around.

What older drivers can do

}} Do your health checks regularly to make sure that
your eyes, mind and ears are in good shape for
safe driving.

}} Drive the safest car you can afford with side air bags
if possible.

What families and friends
can do

}} Talk with older drivers that you know to see whether
they’re keeping up their health checks.

}} Report to VicRoads any serious or chronic medical
condition or disability that can affect driving.

Motorcyclists

Background Strategic direction

Despite the growth in the numbers of motorcycles and Make greater use of
scooters over the last decade, Victoria maintains the motorcycle safety
lowest fatality rate per registration of any Australian technology and protective
State. However motorcyclists still account for 16 per clothing. Better prepare
cent of deaths on our roads. new riders to be safe and
target enforcement of
Learner and first year licensed riders account for nearly unsafe road use among
one third of motorcyclists’ fatal and serious injury all motorists.
crashes in Victoria, so rider inexperience is a major
contributor to road trauma.

Almost half of TAC motorcyclist claims include injury to
legs and feet. Legs are the most frequently injured body
part in motorcycle claims.

What you told us

}} 80 per cent supported improving education about
sharing the road with motorcyclists.

}} 79 per cent supported increasing policing of unsafe
behaviour by motorcyclists.

}} 77 per cent supported a requirement for
motorcyclists to wear protective clothing

}} 68 per cent of survey respondents supported a
requirement for motorcycles to have the same level
of identification as other vehicles.

What we know works

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) technology has the
potential to significantly reduce serious motorcycle
crashes, particularly at intersections.

Research shows that the overall effectiveness of ABS
was 38 per cent on all crashes with injuries and 48 per
cent on all severe and fatal crashes.

A recent study conducted in Australia showed that
motorcyclists were 21 per cent less likely to be admitted
to hospital if they crashed while wearing motorcycle
jackets, and the risk reduced further if they were also
wearing motorcycle pants (51 per cent) or gloves.10

Wearing boots (not necessarily motorcycle boots) was
associated with a 53 per cent reduced risk of any injury
compared to shoes or joggers.

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25

What we’re doing What motorcyclists can do

Engineering }} Wear a full range of protective clothing, especially
Improving road and roadside infrastructure boots every time you ride.
for motorcyclists
}} Make yourself visible by wearing light coloured
Continue to improve our roads under the Motorcycle or reflective gear.
Blackspot Program, targeting popular touring routes
and specific sites that have particular risks for }} Make sure your next bike has an anti-lock braking
motorcyclists. system (ABS).

Advocating for an Australian Design Rule }} Ride within the speed limit.
for Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) on
new motorcycles What drivers can do

Victoria will encourage the Federal Government to Take your time, especially at intersections, to check
introduce an Australian Design Rule for ABS to be for motorcyclists.
fitted on all new motorcycles sold in Australia.

Education
Improving training for motorcyclists

Introduce a graduated licensing system for motorcyclists
to help beginners develop critical riding skills under
safe conditions.

Education and media campaigns targeting
all road users

Continue the ‘put yourself in their shoes’ campaign that
highlights risks and actions for both drivers and riders in
sharing the road together.

Promoting the benefits of protective
clothing

Develop new education materials that highlight to
motorcyclists the benefits of wearing protective clothing.

Introduce a mandatory requirement for motorcyclists
to wear boots that are at least ankle high to better
protect them.

Educating recreational and weekend riders

Deliver new campaigns on the risks associated with
recreational and weekend riding in country Victoria and
on long route rides.

Enforcement
Reducing speeding among motorcyclists

Work towards resolving the current inequity that exists
between motorcyclists and other road users where
motorcyclists are not detected when committing traffic
offences due to the lack of a front number plate.

Unlicensed drivers

Background What we’re doing

Unlicensed drivers and riders are involved in Engineering
approximately eight per cent of all fatal crashes. Technology to prevent an unlicensed
Unlicensed drivers include people who have not driver from driving
yet obtained a licence and people who have had
their licence suspended. Investigate the feasibility of technology that will link
driver licences with a vehicle, allowing only licensed
Unlicensed drivers and riders operate outside of drivers to operate a vehicle.
the licensing system and pose a safety risk to other
road users. Enforcement
Introducing a requirement for all Victorian
Based on research undertaken in Australia, the UK drivers/riders to carry a current driver’s
and USA, it is estimated that between 25 per cent and licence
75 per cent of unlicensed drivers continue to drive.11
Require all drivers and motorbike riders to carry their
Given the over-representation of unlicensed drivers in licence when they’re on the roads, rather than our
road crashes, we can achieve very large road safety current seven-day provision for drivers to present their
gains by keeping unlicensed drivers off the roads. licence to a police station.

What we know works Increasing the ability to detect
unlicensed drivers
Enforcement technologies such as Automatic Number
Plate Recognition (ANPR) Systems are highly effective Trial mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition
in detecting unlicensed drivers and unregistered Systems (ANPR) that will detect unlicensed and
vehicles. ANPR also provides a strong deterrent to unregistered vehicles while they are on the move.
those contemplating driving whilst unlicensed.
What you can do
Strategic direction
Don’t get in a car with an unlicensed driver.
Remove unlicensed drivers
from our roads through
targeted, technology-driven
enforcement.

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The number of
trucks on Victoria’s
roads is projected
to double by 2025.

Trucks

Background What we’re doing

Trucks are involved in 16 per cent of fatal crashes. Engineering
Road network management – SmartRoads
The number of trucks on Victoria’s roads is projected
to double by 2025.12 Continue developing the SmartRoads approach,
which gives trucks and cars priority on key transport
In targeted operations by Victoria Police, an average routes and gives public transport, pedestrians and
of one in 11 truck drivers returned a positive test to cyclists priority on others. This reduces the amount
illicit drugs. of interaction between trucks and the most
vulnerable groups.
What you told us
Reducing fatigued driving among heavy
}} 85 per cent agreed with increasing policing of heavy vehicle drivers
vehicle driver road behaviour (such as tailgating).
Trial fatigue detection technology for truck drivers
}} 84 per cent agreed with increasing driver education to determine the safety benefits of this technology.
about sharing the road with trucks.
Encouraging uptake of truck safety
}} 82 per cent agreed with increasing road safety features
education for truck drivers.
Continue to promote the uptake of proven truck
}} 82 per cent supported a requirement for heavy safety features, such as advanced braking technology,
vehicles to be fitted with devices that can lane departure warning technology and seatbelt
detect fatigue. reminder systems.

What we know works Object detection and warning technology has great
potential to help truck drivers detect other road users
Nearly half of all truck drivers killed over the last three such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
years were not wearing a seatbelt.

Wearing a seatbelt doubles your chances of surviving a
serious crash, yet despite the benefits shown by road
safety research time and time again, too many people
do not take the time to put their seatbelt on.

Strategic direction

Safely accommodate
the increase in trucks
on Victoria’s roads using
technology and effective
management of Victoria’s
road network. Introduce
initiatives to encourage
everybody to share the
road safely.

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Education
Informing people about sharing the road
with trucks

Continue education programs such as the Road to
Respect campaign, which encourages both truck and
car drivers to recognise that each have a role to play in
sharing the road safely.

Develop a campaign to improve seatbelt wearing
by heavy vehicle drivers.

Enforcement
Strengthening and enforcing tailgating
laws

Develop new legislation and trial new technology to
allow greater enforcement of tailgating by all vehicles
including trucks at high risk locations such as tunnels.

Increasing drug testing of truck drivers

Increase drug testing of heavy vehicle drivers targeting
primary freight routes.

What truck drivers can do

}} Always wear your seatbelt
}} Drive a truck with the latest safety technology like

Emergency Brake Assist.
}} Don’t drive when you’re tired – take rest breaks.
}} Don’t take drugs and drive.
}} Don’t tailgate.

What other road users can do

}} Leave enough braking space, trucks need extra
space to stop.

}} Be aware that truck drivers cannot always see you
– particularly cyclists and pedestrians.

Vehicle safety

Background Strategic direction

All new cars sold in Australia must meet minimum Increase the availability
safety standards. On top of this, the Australian New Car of vehicle safety features
Assessment Program (ANCAP), Australasia’s leading in the Victorian car market
independent vehicle safety advocate that gives people and encourage the uptake
advice on car safety through its safety rating program, of these features.
recommends buying cars with 5-star safety ratings.

Seventy-five per cent of new cars registered in Victoria
last year had a 5-star safety rating.

On average, people involved in crashes with vehicles
made in 2007 are half as likely to die or be seriously
injured as those in vehicles made in 1987.13

Recent Victorian research shows that side airbag
systems are highly effective in preventing death
and injury in side impact crashes. It also showed a
51 per cent reduction of injury to all areas of the body.14

What you told us you wanted

}} 82 per cent supported encouraging car
manufacturers to incorporate all available safety
technologies into their Australian models.

}} 79 per cent supported giving people incentives to
encourage them to buy cars with high safety ratings,
especially younger drivers.

}} 73 per cent supported encouraging fleet owners to
buy cars with a 5-star safety rating.

What we know works

Driving a 5-star safety rated car can significantly reduce
death and serious injury.

Electronic Stability Control, one of the key mandatory
features of a 5-star safety rating, reduces the incidence
of a single vehicle crash by 29 per cent.

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What we’re doing

Engineering
Increasing the safety standards of new
Victorian Government passenger vehicles

Make sure that all new light passenger vehicles bought
for Victorian Government use have a 5-star Australasian
New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating.

Trialling in-vehicle warnings devices that
alert drivers of approaching hazards

Trial in-vehicle warning devices to alert drivers of
approaching hazards, such as trains approaching
level crossings.

Education
Howsafeisyourcar.com

Continue to give people independent information
about the safety of new cars based on results from the
Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)
and used cars from the Used Car Safety Ratings, which
analyse real world crash data.

Providing advice for younger and older
drivers

}} Continue to update and promote the first car buyers
list, which has been especially designed for young
people who are thinking about buying their first car.

}} Give older drivers information to consider important
safety features when buying a car, such as head-
protecting airbags and features that make driving
easier and more comfortable - especially important
in the case of older drivers.

What you can do

Drive the safest car you can afford, ideally a 5-star
safety rated vehicle.

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Endnotes

1 Coroners Prevention Unit (2012), Presence of alcohol and
drugs amongst deaths from on-road transport crashes in
Victoria 1 January 2008 – 31 December 2011. Melbourne,
Coroners Court of Victoria.

2 Ibid.

3 E Ogden, C Morris, T Frederiksen, C Stough, R King,
Do minor tranquilisers (benzodiazepines) increase risk
of collision in which the driver is injured, Australasian
Road Safety Research, Policing and Education
Conference, Perth, 2011.

4 Ibid.

5 Carsten,O. and Tate, F. ‘Intelligent speed adaptation:
accident savings and cost–benefit analysis’.Accident
Analysis & Prevention 37 (2005), Elsevier Ltd, Amsterdam.

6 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, ‘New
data from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute provides
insight into cell phone use and driving distraction’,
viewed November 2012, http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/
articles/2009/07/2009-571.html

7 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
‘Transportation Institute releases findings on driver
behavior and crash factors’, viewed November 2012,
http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2006/04/2006-237.html

8 Vassallo, S., Smart, D., Cockfield, S., Gunatillake,
T., Harris, A.,& Harrison, W. (2010). In the driver’s seat II:
Beyond the early driving years, (Research Report No.17).
Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

9 Department of Planning and Community Development,
Victoria in future 2012: Population and household
projections for Victoria and its regions 2011-2031,
Victorian Government, Melbourne, 2012.

10 L de Rome, R Ivers, M Fitzharris, W Du, N Haworth,
S Heritier, D Richardson, ‘Motorcycle protective clothing:
protection from injury or just the weather?’ Accident
Analysis & Prevention, vol. 43, iss. 6, Elsevier Ltd,
Amsterdam, 2011.

11 Watson, B., Methodological problems associated with
surveying unlicensed drivers, in Proceedings of the 1998
Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference,
Wellington, New Zealand.

12 Department of Transport (DoT), Freight Future: Victorian
Freight Network Strategy, DoT, Melbourne, December 2008.

13 R Cook, Best practice road safety initiatives in Australia,
keynote address, Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing
and Education Conference, Canberra, September 2010.

14 D’Elia, A., Scully, J. & Newstead,S. Evaluation
of Vehicle Side Airbag System Effectiveness, Monash
University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, 2012.

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35

For this document and
current road safety information
visit roadsafety.vic.gov.au

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