An inquiry into the effectiveness of Australia's road safety strategy has been launched, amid fears of growing complacency on our roads. 

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester has commissioned an inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020, which will assess current actions and help find new ways to reduce the number of road fatalities and serious injuries.

“I'm worried that we are too accepting of the fact 1300 Australians will die on our roads and tens of thousands will be injured this year,” Chester said.

“Road trauma has an enormous social impact and in economic terms, road injury costs our nation an estimated $30 billion per year. I don't accept that as a price we have to pay for a modern transport system. The re-evaluation of the existing strategy is about setting the national agenda for years to come.

“After decades of reductions in road trauma, we have experienced a spike in several states in recent years and it's timely to review the national strategy, in partnership with the state government and the community.”

Two of Australia's leading road safety experts, Associate Professor Jeremy Woolley, Director of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide, and Dr John Crozier, Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' Trauma Committee, will co-chair the inquiry. 

“Both are experts in road safety and they will draw on their own knowledge and other professionals who are working across Australia to reduce road trauma," Chester said. 

“No-one is expecting a single solution to reducing road trauma and we all need to take responsibility for our actions on our nation's roads as we work towards a safer system.

“It's about safer drivers, in safer vehicles, driving on safer roads. This inquiry will assist in setting Federal Government policy priorities for the future.”

The inquiry complements existing investment in road safety by the Australian Government through the road blackspots, heavy vehicle safety initiatives, and infrastructure investment program.

The inquiry will report back to the Minister in early 2018.

For more information and to make a submission visit: roadsafety.gov.au