New research backs road safety upgrades across WA

The Albanese Government is prioritising the installation of rumble strips on regional roads across WA, under a $107.2 million investment through the Road Safety Program.

Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm will visit the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research at The University of Western Australia (UWA) today to better understand the use of rumble strips, with early analysis of upgraded regional roads equipped with the strips showing a 60 per cent reduction in fatalities, and a 30 per cent reduction in serious injuries.

The $107.2 million investment has been allocated to the Cook Government’s landmark Regional Road Safety Program and will see the delivery of 42 critical road safety projects, including the installation of rumble strips.

The Regional Road Safety Program was established in 2020, and has now seen more than $1 billion invested into road safety treatments across regional WA.

To date, the program has upgraded around 10,000 kilometres of the Western Australian regional road network with other road treatments including shoulder sealing and widening.

As of this month, 10 of the 42 projects funded in regional WA under the Australian Government’s Road Safety Program have already been completed, with another 19 currently under construction.

The projects funded by the Albanese Government are expected to support 122 jobs across Western Australia and once completed, they will also provide valuable road safety data to help shape future roads infrastructure policy for the benefit of all motorists and pedestrians.

More information on the Australian Government’s Road Safety Program can be found here, and the West Australian Government’s Regional Road Safety Program here.

Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm:

“Any death on our roads is one too many. That’s why governments rely on data, like these statistics on rumble strips, to improve safety and significantly reduce the number of deaths on our roads.

“Since 2020, Australia has seen a persistent increase in deaths and serious injuries on our roads – that’s why the Albanese Government is prioritising road upgrades that have been proven to save lives. 

“Solving the road safety challenge is a collective responsibility in which we all play an important role, and the Road Safety Program is part of our ongoing commitment to this vision by funding works identified by state governments.” 

Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti:

“We’re working closely with the Australian Government to help reduce fatal and serious road crashes across Western Australia.

“Not only will these road safety works help reduce the number of crashes on the rural network, but they will also reduce the cost of maintenance of these sections and prolong the pavement life.

“The works will also provide regional and indigenous employment and ongoing training and opportunities in the road construction industry.”

Quotes attributable to Main Roads WA Senior Research Fellow at UWA’s Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, Dr Matt Albrecht:

“WA's road network is one of the most unique in the world, spanning 150,000 kilometres over 2.5 million square kilometres of land. 

“With less than 25 per cent of the state’s population in regional areas, WA's regional roads see more than 50–60 per cent of the fatal road crashes. Treating such a vast regional network requires a sophisticated approach, especially targeting the most serious crashes.

“This initial data on the effectiveness of rumble strips is a significant result for Western Australians and the nation as we aim to reduce our road toll.”