Media releases

Public consultation open on life-saving alerting technology for electric vehicles More Australians than ever before are driving electric vehicles, with the numbers almost doubling in 2022, from 44,000 EVs on our roads, to more than 83,000.

Safer journeys for cyclists front and centre of new upskilling program In the last twelve months (ending February 2023), forty cyclists died on Australian roads[1].

Concerned about the safety of a local road? Nominate it for Black Spot funding now! Each year Australians travel, on average, 12,100 kilometres in a passenger vehicle[1].

First meeting of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area steering committee puts drivers front and centre The Heavy Vehicle Rest Area steering committee held its first meeting in Canberra last week.  This committee, which is chaired by Senator Glenn Sterle, is a first for the government and for the department.

Better health outcomes for rural and regional Tasmanians The current home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Tasmania has served the community for 20 years. The Albanese Labor Government is committed to updating the site to ensure it can provide the service Tasmanians deserve.

This National Driver Fatigue Week, remember – sleep is the only cure to tiredness National Driver Fatigue Week is a week to educate road users that a power nap is a viable intervention strategy to overcome fatigue while driving.  There were 1,187 deaths on our roads last year – a devastating statistic.

National Road Safety Action Plan to reduce road trauma The first National Road Safety Action Plan (2023–2025) for the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–30 has been agreed by Australian, state and territory road and transport ministers to support the shared goal of reducing road trauma across Australi

$1.5 million New Town Retail Precinct Upgrade sparks new opportunities for businesses The $1.5 million stage two of Hobart’s New Town Retail Precinct Upgrade has been launched after a nearly three-year delay caused by the impacts of COVID-19.

Building a safer Wimmera Highway Through joint funding from the Australian Government's $3 billion Road Safety Program (RSP) and the Victorian Government's Regional Intersection Package, safety and accessibility are being improved on the Wimmera Highway near New

Steering committee announced for $140 million rest area initiative The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on the $140 million heavy vehicle rest area initiative and has finalised the membership of the steering committee.

New signals shine a light on safety at Rockhampton black spot The dark days are over for a key intersection in the heart of Rockhampton, with vital traffic signals funded by the Australian Government’s Black Spot program now switched on.

Four weeks left to enter safety projects for $4 million heavy vehicle grant program There are only four weeks left for the heavy vehicle industry to apply for crucial project funding through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).

Boothenba Road intersection upgrade officially opened Significant safety improvements have been addressed with the official opening of the $8 million upgraded Boothenba Road intersection.

$2.6 million to fund 17 new Black Spot projects in Tasmania Funding under the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program will substantially improve 17 dangerous crash sites on Tasmanian roads in 2022–23.

Safety works complete at Swan Hill intersection Works have now been completed to improve safety at the Murray Valley Highway and Naretha Street intersection in Swan Hill.