The Tasmanian Government is working with the community towards its long term vision on zero deaths or serious injuries on the states roads.
As part of it’s Towards Zero Action Plan 2020-2024, the state government will invest $75 million to help save lives on its roads over the next five years.
The action plan delivers $50 million for infrastructure improvements on rural roads, busy urban areas and for vulnerable road users across the state.
The plan prioritises a total of 42 actions. The first is already underway with the launch of a new road safety campaign, ‘Don’t drive blind: Leave your phone alone’.
This campaign tackles the issue of unsafe road use for drivers, especially among young drivers. It reminds people that when eyes are taken off the road, hands off the steering wheel and minds off the driving task, yourself and others are at risk.
Other priorities in the action plan include improving safety in cities and towns especially for pedestrians and cyclists, improving safety through vehicles and technology and making visitors safer.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said the state has made steady progress reducing road trauma, from highs of 400 serious casualties annually in the 1970’s to the current rate of around 310 serious casualties yearly.
“As Minister, I don’t accept any level of road trauma in our state and ask all Tasmanians to recommit ourselves to doing even better,” he said.
“Our shorter-term target is for fewer than 200 serious casualties on our roads by 2026.”
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