IPWEA representatives were on the panel that advised the Federal Government on crash location dangers in the quest for a dramatically reduced state road toll. Funding has been announced this week to fix intersections at 147 locations.
The Black Spot Program has been funded with $50.6 million for road repairs and redesigns during 2020-2021 in an announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack.
“By specifically targeting road locations with a history of crashes for safety upgrades such as lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts, the Black Spot Program reduces crashes causing injury and death at those sites by around 30 per cent,” said Mr McCormack.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said this investment would deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout the state.
“The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of 19 fatal and 730 crashes causing injuries recorded over the past five years,” said Mr Buchholz.
“We are committed to making sure those living and travelling through NSW are able to do so more safely by providing the infrastructure they want, need and most importantly deserve.”
As well as IPWEA, the panel that reviews priorities for the program includes representatives from the NRMA, NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations, NSW Police and State and Local Government.
In February, $25.3 million was allocated to fixing 51 Queensland black spots, with a projected 30 per cent reduction in crashes causing death and injury in that state, according to Mr Buchholz.
“The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of 12 fatal and 233 crashes causing injuries recorded over the past five years,” he said.
The Federal Government has committed $1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2022-23 to improve road safety across the nation.
You can read more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or nominate a black spot, here.