road_safety_action_plan (Victoria case)

Victoria’s Road Safety Action Plan22001136 Safe roads for all Victorians

Contents Foreword 3 Introduction 5 Key directions 5 } Serious injuries – a new focus 5 } Working together – a new approach 6 } Technology – new advances 6 } Research – new investigations 6 } Priority actions – new actions 6 Priority actions 7 } Drink driving 8 } Drug driving 10 } Speeding 11 } Distraction 13 } Pedestrians 15 } Cyclists 16 } Country road users 18 } Roads and speed limits 20 } Young drivers 22 } Older road users 24 } Motorcyclists 25 } Unlicensed drivers 27 } Trucks 29 } Vehicle safety 31 End notes 34 For this document and current road safety information visit roadsafety.vic.gov.au

Foreword More than five million Victorians use our roads every evidence. This includes infrastructure, education day, whether they’re behind the wheel, using public programs, increased use of alcohol interlocks, new transport, on a motorbike, a bicycle, or on foot. research, promoting and encouraging new safety Success in making our roads safer will only occur if technologies and strong enforcement measures all of us on the roads make the right choices, talk the that clamp down on those who put our lives at risk. toll down, and engage in a never ending discussion about road safety. But we’ll also need to work in new ways. But with more and more of us on the roads each year, Victoria will again lead the way in Australia by and with so many different modes of transport using introducing a new injury measure. At the moment our roads, this is becoming an even bigger challenge. there is no distinction between serious injuries such as broken bones and the more life-changing and Victoria is already an international leader in road safety. permanent injuries such as quadriplegia and brain This has been achieved through commitment and a injury. So for the first time in Australia, Victoria will strong community desire to reduce road trauma. This develop a severe injury category, which will focus our has translated into a reduction in road tolls over the efforts to improve our safety response. last seven years. Our strategy also highlights the importance of a In 2012 the road toll was the lowest yet – but the collaborative approach between government and the toll still represents 282 people no longer with us, community. The Coalition Government is committed and more than 5,000 people seriously injured. The to saving lives and reducing trauma by making the road suffering and grief, and the changed financial and family network safe. This Action Plan is supported by a range circumstances for the many affected leave deep and of other initiatives including a whole-of-government lasting impacts. strategy to reduce the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the Victorian community. But we’re calling In December 2012 the Victorian Coalition Government on you to do your part too. All Victorians – pedestrians, announced $36 million in funding for a new cyclists, drivers and passengers – have a responsibility rehabilitation centre for people with an acquired to make better, safer choices on the road. It’s never an brain injury. It will be established at Alfred Health’s accident when road users make a dangerous choice. Caulfield Hospital. When we announced the Victorian Coalition More than 1,200 Victorians are living with an acquired Government’s establishment of a Ministerial Road brain injury from a road accident. Every four days, Safety Council, we recognised how critical it was to someone in Victoria suffers a severe brain injury in a reduce trauma on our roads and improve the safety road crash, which results in a profound and irreversible of the state’s road network. This new approach, our change to their lives. These injuries are the hidden toll strategic direction and action plans detailing what of road trauma. we, as a Government, will do, and what you can do, will get us there. When we all work together to make Our ideal must always be that there will be zero deaths better choices on the roads, lives can be saved, severe and zero injuries on our roads. In this strategy we injuries can be reduced and we can all get home safely outline an approach to pursue new and ambitious to our loved ones. objectives over the next 10 years, in particular: The Hon Ted Baillieu MLA }} reducing deaths by more than 30 per cent; and Premier }} reducing serious injury by more than 30 per cent. Combining approaches that already work with new initiatives can make a dramatic difference. The Victorian Coalition Government is driving the next generation of road safety and is making a $1 billion commitment to road safety by continuing with the things we know work, based on solid scientific 2 3



Introduction Key directions This is the first of three Action Plans which sets In this action plan we will continue doing the things we out the steps we will take to achieve the vision, know work such as using the Safe System approach targets and direction outlined in Victoria’s Road to road safety to avoid crashes or reduce their impacts. Safety Strategy 2013–22. This approach works on roads, roadsides, vehicles and In this first Action Plan (2013-2016), we present the people’s behaviour to reduce the force with which a priority activities to reduce death and serious injury on body is hit in a crash so that a person is less likely to be our roads by more than 30 per cent, reducing the road injured or killed, knowing that no matter how good the toll from 282 (2012) to below 200, and cases of serious system is, and how careful people are, there will always injury from 5,500 to below 3,850. be human error and crashes are inevitable. We have chosen the actions in this plan as the most While we will continue with existing initiatives that we effective to get us to our targets based on: know improve road safety, new measures in a number of new areas will help us reach our ambitious targets. }} the input from more than 16,500 survey responses and submissions from members of our community Serious injuries – a new focus and organisations obtained during the 2012 consultation process; and Like other jurisdictions around the world, Victoria has not reduced its serious injuries at the same rate as it }} an evidence based approach – the Monash has reduced its road deaths. University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has modelled the package of initiatives to make sure they In the last 25 years the road toll has been reduced by deliver significant safety benefit. 60 per cent but the ‘hidden road toll’ of serious injuries has only been reduced by around 45 per cent in the Given the diverse needs of the Victorian community and same period. So this action plan aims to dramatically the community’s expectation that dollars will be spent reduce this hidden road toll. wisely, we have chosen initiatives that will give the community the greatest road safety benefit. One of the first steps is to create a new reporting measure to highlight our most severely injured crash victims. At the moment, most states in Australia define a serious injury as anything that results in a person being admitted to hospital for one or more nights. The new definition of ‘severe injury’ will differentiate between those relatively minor injuries and severe, life-changing injuries such as quadriplegia and brain injury. The impact of these injuries is terrible and if we turn deaths into severe injuries, we have only done part of the job. This new reporting measure will help us to develop a severe injury toll on our roads. Alongside our existing death and serious injury measures this new severe injury category will give us more accurate and sophisticated knowledge and information so that we can tailor our safety response to not only reduce road deaths, but also life-changing injuries. These measures will also make people more aware of the real costs of risky behaviour on our roads. Our work will be assisted by the Parliament of Victoria’s Road Safety Committee Inquiry into Serious Injury, which is now underway. 4 5

Working together – We’re also expecting a significant safety benefit a new approach from Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems based on an emerging technology where vehicles We will also work in closer partnership with the people communicate with each other and road infrastructure of Victoria. The Victorian Government will take strong to help avoid crashes. action to make the road system safe. We will use engineering to make vehicles, roads and roadsides Already, modelling is showing that the total number safer, but this is only effective if people on the roads of fatal and serious casualty crashes could be reduced make the right decisions to stay safe. by as much as 25 to 35 per cent. We will support people through a renewed focus in VicRoads will design new roads so that they can education so that people know the responsible thing support these technologies as they come on line. to do and know the risks and potentially devastating results of unsafe behaviour. Research – new investigations We’ll also give people tools to make more responsible We’re putting considerable resources into cutting edge choices, for example – Intelligent Speed Assist which research such as an Enhanced Crash Investigation will help drivers comply with speed limits. Study to increase the focus on serious injuries to give us better information to develop countermeasures to But where people do the wrong thing and put their reduce both deaths and serious injuries. own and others’ lives at risk, we will come down hard with stronger enforcement and tougher penalties. We’re also gaining a better understanding of the relationship between using mobile phones while driving Government working on its own to make the and road crashes. Building on world leading research roads safe can only achieve so much. This new from the United States, Victoria will be part of a ‘real life’ collaboration underlines the responsibility that driving study which will examine what drivers actually do everybody on the roads has to make good choices and how often, in normal and safety critical situations, to stay safe. and their interactions with other people on the road. We all need to do more and do better if we are to These studies will help us develop a new approach reach our targets of reducing the death and serious to some of our most difficult road safety problems, injury tolls by more than 30 per cent. and give us solid data that will help us develop new initiatives for future Action Plans. Technology – new advances Priority Actions – new actions Advancements in vehicle safety technology give us enormous potential to reduce both the number of The following section outlines the new actions we’re crashes and their severity when they do happen. taking for the next three years to help us meet our Airbags, electronic stability control, alcohol interlocks targets. While we’ll work across many areas, we’ll and seatbelts have proven themselves in saving lives. concentrate our efforts on: We will closely monitor new road safety technologies }} tackling the main contributors to trauma on our and, in collaboration with the Federal Government, roads – speed, and drink driving are involved in work towards a more rapid adoption of new design more than half of all deaths; and rules so we can fast-track new safety technology as it comes on to the market. }} protecting the people most at-risk – motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists. By focusing on these crucial elements we will make a significant contribution to meeting our targets and saving people from death and serious injury on our roads.

Priority actions We all need to do more if we are to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads 6 7

Drink driving Strategic direction Reduce road trauma from drink driving through a focus on vehicle technology, education and a zero tolerance enforcement regime. Background What we’re doing Drink driving accounts for 25 to 30 per cent of deaths Engineering and 11 per cent of serious injuries on Victoria’s roads.1 Expand the fitting of alcohol interlocks to Repeat drink drivers make up 30 per cent of all drivers the vehicles of all convicted drink drivers caught drink driving. In the future, we expect that alcohol interlocks will What you told us become a standard feature of all new vehicles sold in Australia. }} 89 per cent agreed that drink drivers should face longer bans from driving or owning a car. Until then, we’re expanding the current alcohol interlock program from applying only to Blood Alcohol }} 83 per cent agreed that there should be an increase Concentrations of .15 or higher and repeat drink in the number of drink drivers required to have drivers, to applying to every convicted drink driver – alcohol interlock devices fitted to their vehicles. including low-level and first offences. This will reduce the menace of drink driving on our roads. }} 82 per cent agreed that there should be an increase in awareness about the dangers of drink driving. Education Increasing awareness of drink driving risks What we know works The TAC will continue delivering high quality, thought Alcohol interlocks are highly effective for repeat drink provoking public education campaigns that improve drivers because they stop the car from starting if the people’s understanding of the role of drink driving in driver has been drinking. road trauma. Research suggests that if alcohol interlocks were a standard feature in all Victorian cars, approximately 50 lives and 500 serious injuries would be saved each year.

Enforcement Impounding the vehicles of first time, high-level drink drivers Impound the vehicles of drivers with Blood Alcohol Concentrations of .10 or higher, rather than just repeat drink drivers. This will be a powerful deterrent to drink driving, additional to the immediate licence suspension which already applies. Toughening penalties Create a new offence with a tough penalty for driving under the combined influence of alcohol (over legal BAC) and illicit drugs. What you can do }} If you plan to drive, plan not to drink. }} If you plan to drink, consider alternative transport options such as a taxi or public transport. }} Offer to be the designated driver. }} Voluntarily put an alcohol interlock into your car. 8 9

Drug driving Background What we’re doing Illicit drugs are a factor in around 20 per cent of all driver Education deaths, while abuse of some prescription medications is TAC media campaigns emerging as a major road safety concern.2 An alarming 50 per cent of self-confessed drug drivers There is a growing recognition of the road safety claimed in a 2011 survey that illicit drugs have little or problems associated with the abuse of pharmaceutical no effect on their driving ability. The TAC will undertake drugs such as benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax) research based public awareness campaigns to: across Victoria.3 There is also significant evidence of a relationship between the abuse of certain }} improve understanding by health professionals pharmaceutical drugs, driving impairment and and the community of the role of illicit drugs in road crash risk. trauma; and Current Victorian research shows that where drivers }} educate drivers and riders about the effects and with three or more drugs in their blood (alcohol, illicit risks associated with driving and taking prescription drugs and inappropriate levels of prescription drugs) medications. are involved in crashes, they are found to be at fault in more than 95 per cent of cases.4 Developing ways to inform and identify issues surrounding drug use What you told us Conduct world-leading research into crashes involving }} 89 per cent agreed that repeat drug drivers alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription medications to get should be required to have counselling by medical crucial data to make our education and enforcement professionals. more effective. }} 88 per cent supported increased testing for This will lead to the creation of better tools to identify drug drivers. drivers who are alcohol and drug addicted, and better tools to help them change their behaviour because they }} 87 per cent supported an increase in public generally don’t respond to sanctions like suspending awareness about the dangers of drug driving. their licence, fines and demerit points. }} 86 per cent supported increased penalties for Enforcement drug driving. Toughening penalties and sanctions Strategic direction }} Expand and increase testing for drug driving. Adopt a much tougher and }} Create a new offence with a tough penalty for driving more sustained approach to detecting and penalising under the combined influence of alcohol (over legal drug drivers. Work with the Blood Alcohol Concentration) and illicit drugs. community to strengthen }} Develop objective measures of illicit drug use which the management of will give magistrates the tools to apply more prescription medications effective sanctions. to support safe mobility. What you can do }} Don’t take drugs and drive. }} Visit the Australian Drug Foundation website for information about illicit drugs and driving risk (adf.org.au). }} Check with your doctor whether you can drive while you’re on your prescription medication.

Speeding Background Strategic direction Speed contributes to nearly 100 road deaths and Help drivers comply 1,700 serious injuries each year, and costs the state with speed limits through about $1 billion every year. vehicle technology and the setting of clear Research shows that in a 60km/h zone the risk and simple speed limits, of a crash doubles for every 5km/h the speed limit as well as increased is exceeded. And travelling at 70km/h in a 60km/h enforcement of zone nearly quadruples the risk of a crash. speed limits. Pedestrians hit at 40km/h are 75 per cent less likely to die than those hit at 50km/h, according to the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC). So reducing speeding is crucial to improving road safety. What you told us }} 73 per cent agreed there should be an increase in public education about the dangers of speeding. }} 58 per cent agreed that new vehicles should be required to have speed alert technologies such as Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA). }} The majority of submissions contended that tougher penalties, an increased police presence and more speed cameras were the best ways of stopping motorists from speeding. What we know works Experts estimate speed camera technology reduces crashes causing injury by up to 47 per cent at intersections. Vehicles fitted with Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) can detect the speed limit in which they’re travelling and can then alert the driver if they’re going over the speed limit. The vehicle can even override the driver and reduce the speed itself. Research from the United Kingdom shows ISA has the potential to reduce injury crashes by 36 per cent and fatal crashes by 59 per cent depending on the ISA system in operation.5 10 11

What we’re doing What you can do Engineering }} Drive within the speed limit. Introducing Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) }} Drive to conditions so if it’s raining, or there are Develop a strategy for the implementation of ISA – hazards, slow down. an in-car technology that reminds drivers what speed limit they are travelling in. }} Put an Intelligent Speed Advisory System into your vehicle. Implementing outcomes of the Victorian Speed Limit Review }} Help us catch those that risk our safety through an expanded hoon reporting facility. Simplify speed zones by: }} gradually phasing out 90km/h and 70km/h speed zones; }} removing frequent speed limits changes over short distances; and }} reducing sign clutter on busy roads. Drivers will see fewer speed zones, reducing potential confusion and helping people drive within speed limits. Education Increasing awareness of the risks of speeding }} The TAC will continue to develop campaigns that educate the community about the risks associated with travelling over the limit and at speeds inappropriate for the conditions. }} VicRoads and the TAC will increase awareness of how effective ISA is and encourage people to install it in their vehicles. Enforcement Increasing our capacity to catch people speeding }} Increase our use of automated speed enforcement, including point-to-point, mobile, speed and red light camera systems. }} Work towards resolving the current inequity that exists between motorcyclists and other road users where motorcyclists are not detected when committing traffic offences due to the lack of a front number plate. }} Increase the penalty for obscured number plates from the current fine of $141.

Distraction Background What we’re doing Texting increases the risk of a crash or near-crash Engineering by up to 15 times for car drivers and over 20 times Voluntary blocking of mobile phones for truck drivers.6 while driving Eighty per cent of crashes and 65 per cent of near Promote phone applications that silence incoming crashes involve driver inattention in the few seconds phone calls and messages when a person prior to the onset of the crash or near-crash.7 Getting is driving. distracted doesn’t take much – in car distractions come from many sources, such as our passengers, mobile Reducing visual clutter on the roads phones, radios, CD player and navigation equipment. Reduce sign clutter by reviewing areas where signs Visual clutter on the road, like too many advertising are competing with each other and distracting drivers. and road advisory signs, makes it difficult for people to detect changes and undermines people’s ability to Education keep to the speed limit and follow traffic signs. This is Increasing awareness of distracting particularly difficult for older drivers. technologies What you told us Public education campaign focussing on the effects of distracting technologies such as mobile phones, }} 89 per cent agreed that drivers found texting while headphones and tablet computers. driving should face tougher penalties. Enforcement What we know works Extending the ban on mobile phone use According to research, making sure you do not take Broaden the ban on mobile phone use by probationary your eyes from the road for more than two seconds is P1 drivers to include P2 drivers. Currently, only critical to reducing crashes. P1 drivers (first year probationary drivers) must not use a mobile phone while driving, including hands-free The United States National Highway Traffic Safety devices, while P2 drivers are permitted to use hands- Administration estimates that a driver whose attention free devices. is taken off the road for two seconds becomes twice as likely to be in a crash. Sending or reading a text Introducing tougher and more effective message takes 4.6 seconds. penalties for mobile phone use while driving Strategic direction Provide greater deterrence to distracted driving, through Introduce initiatives that stronger sanctions for drivers who are detected using a reduce the risks associated mobile phone while driving. with distraction and inattention. Implement strict What you can do enforcement measures that deter illegal mobile phone }} Don’t use a mobile phone while driving – particularly use. Improve people’s to text. understanding of the risks of distraction. }} Avoid using headphones to ensure you can hear approaching traffic, particularly if you are a pedestrian or cyclist. 12 13

A pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h is four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than if hit at 40km/h.

Pedestrians Background What we’re doing A pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h is four Engineering times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than if Using 40km/h zones to improve pedestrian hit at 40km/h. and cyclist safety On average, 46 pedestrians are killed each year on Develop guidelines to enable greater use of 40km/h Victorian roads. zones where and when the risks of pedestrian or cyclist crashes are high. What you told us Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety }} 75 per cent of cyclists and pedestrians supported in ‘black areas’ expanding 40km/h zones in areas of high pedestrians and cyclist activity. Develop a new ‘black area’ program that will provide safer infrastructure where clusters of pedestrian and }} 77 per cent supported an increase in the policing cyclist crashes occur. of unsafe pedestrian behaviour. Providing safer infrastructure on local }} 75 per cent supported increasing enforcement roads against unsafe driving behaviour around pedestrians. Implement a grants program for local government to }} 67 per cent supported increasing safety education provide safer walking infrastructure. for drivers on how to share the road with pedestrians. Education Encouraging safe road sharing among }} 61 per cent supported increasing the number of all road users pedestrian crossings and other pedestrian facilities. Increase awareness of the vulnerability of pedestrians What we know works and encourage safer and more considerate road sharing among drivers and pedestrians. Experts estimate that the number of pedestrian and cyclist injuries in Melbourne’s strip shopping centres that Improving driveway safety have introduced a 40km/h speed zone has reduced by nearly 17 per cent. Deliver public education campaigns to increase awareness of driveway safety and safety in low Strategic direction speed environments. Provide pedestrians with Enforcement improved infrastructure and safer vehicle speeds Increase enforcement of unsafe behaviour that to reduce their risk and endangers pedestrians. support the uptake of sustainable travel modes. What pedestrians can do }} Cross safely using traffic lights or pedestrian crossings. }} Pause the music and don’t use the phone while crossing the road. What drivers can do }} Take your time, especially at intersections, to check for pedestrians. }} Drive within the speed limit. 14 15

Cyclists Background What we’re doing A cyclist hit by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h is four Engineering times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than Using 40km/h zones to improve pedestrian if hit at 40km/h. and cyclist safety On average seven cyclists are killed each year on Develop guidelines to enable greater use of 40km/h Victorian roads. zones where and when the risks of pedestrian or cyclist crashes are high. The proportion of crashes involving cyclists is currently significantly higher at roundabouts than elsewhere. In Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety Victoria cyclists are involved in nine per cent of fatal and in ‘black areas’ serious injury crashes, while at roundabouts 25 per cent of fatal and serious injury crashes involve cyclists. Develop a new ‘black area’ program that will provide safer infrastructure where clusters of pedestrian and What you told us cyclist crashes occur. }} 84 per cent agreed with tackling unsafe cycling Developing new cycling-safe roundabouts behaviour through penalties and enforcement. Modify the design and function of roundabouts to give }} 79 per cent agreed that fines for cyclists who greater safety to cyclists. disobey road rules should be the same as fines for motorists. Providing safer infrastructure on local roads }} 76 per cent supported increasing the number of Implement a grants program for local government to separated bike lanes and paths. provide safer cycling infrastructure. }} 75 per cent of cyclists and pedestrians supported Education expanding 40km/h zones in areas of high Encouraging safe road sharing among pedestrians and cyclist activity. all road users }} 73 per cent of survey respondents supported Increase awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists and increasing driver education on how to share the road encourage safer and more considerate road sharing with cyclists. among drivers and cyclists. What we know works Enforcement Targeted enforcement Experts estimate that the number of pedestrians and cyclist injuries in Melbourne’s strip shopping centres that Increase enforcement of unsafe behaviour that have introduced a 40km/h speed zone has reduced by endangers cyclists and continually enforce cyclist nearly 17 per cent. compliance with all road rules, especially obeying traffic signals and helmet wearing. Strategic direction Reviewing road rules Provide cyclists with improved infrastructure Review road rules and legislation to further protect cyclist and safer vehicle speeds safety and ensure cyclists do not put others at risk. to reduce their risk and support the uptake of What cyclists can do sustainable travel modes. }} Make yourself visible with reflective or light coloured clothing. }} Ensure you have lights on while riding at night. }} Always wear a helmet. }} Use bike lanes and paths when you can. }} Stay alert and avoid distractions like headphones. What drivers can do }} Take your time, especially at intersections, to check for cyclists. }} Drive within the speed limit.

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Country road users Background What we’re doing People in the country are three times more likely to Engineering die and 40 per cent more likely to be seriously injured Expanding the Safer Road Infrastructure in road crashes than those in metropolitan Melbourne. Program Nearly two thirds of all fatalities on Victoria’s rural and Expand the Safer Roads Infrastructure Program (SRIP), regional roads are local residents. which aims to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes along roads with a relatively high number of Around a third of all fatalities on rural and regional serious casualty crashes. roads occur when a single vehicle leaves the road and hits a tree. $100 million per year over the next ten years to improve the safety of Victoria’s roads and roadsides on Drink driving fatalities are nearly three times higher treatments such as the sealing of shoulders, installation in rural and regional Victoria than in metropolitan of rumble lines, wire rope barrier or guardrail and Melbourne when population is taken into account. intersection improvements. What you told us Country roads and bridges }} 81 per cent supported putting in more protective Complete delivery of the $160 million state-wide barriers and removing hazards. program of works to improve country roads and bridges }} Education should be conducted through trusted Improving the safety of country roads community hubs like sports and social clubs. for motorcyclists }} A higher priority should be put on maintenance of Continue to improve the safety of country roads under regional and rural road infrastructure, including wider the Motorcycle Blackspot Program targeting popular shoulders on roads, sealed edge lines, and better touring routes and specific sites that have particular line marking. risks for motorcyclists. What we know works Improving level crossing safety in country Victoria Investing in the safety of our roads and roadsides is a proven measure to reduce road trauma. Evaluation of Improve safety at Victoria’s regional level crossings by the Safer Road Infrastructure Program shows a 36 investing in measures such as the installation of boom per cent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes barriers and flashing lights. at those sites that have been treated. Using 40km/h zones to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety Develop guidelines to enable greater use of 40km/h zones where and when the risks of pedestrian or cyclist crashes are high. Strategic direction Improve the safety of Victoria’s rural and regional roads and roadsides. Target unsafe driving/riding in country Victoria through intelligence-led enforcement and targeted education.

Education Talk the Toll Down The TAC Talk the Toll Down campaign encourages country Victorians to talk about road safety through local newspapers sharing stories of road trauma and highlighting local road safety issues, encouraging regional communities to keep safe and keep each other safe. Helping disadvantaged young people in country Victoria gain critical driving experience The TAC will continue to fund the L2P learner driver mentor program delivered by VicRoads, which helps learners under 21 years who don’t have a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the driving experience they need to apply for a probationary licence. Educating recreational and weekend riders Deliver new campaigns on the risks associated with recreational and weekend motorcycle riding in country Victoria and on long route rides. Enforcement Strengthening enforcement in country Victoria Continue to deliver on the regional Victoria road trauma reduction strategy through more strategic and targeted enforcement of drink driving, expanded roadside drug testing and increased use of speed detection devices. What you can do }} Drive to the speed limit and road conditions. }} Don’t drink and drive. }} Make sure you are rested before you start a long journey and take a break every two hours. 18 19

Roads and speed limits Background Strategic direction Road deaths and serious injuries happen most often Incorporate safe system at intersections and on rural and regional roads with principles into the design speed limits of 100km/h where a single vehicle runs of roads and roadsides off the road and collides with a roadside object such and the setting of as a tree or a pole. speed limits and develop innovative infrastructure Much of Victoria’s growth is in outer metropolitan solutions. Melbourne, and the design of urban environments has a major effect on where and how people travel and therefore on their road safety. Paths for safe walking and cycling, public transport, local services and amenities reduce the need for car travel, reducing deaths and serious injuries and providing substantial community health benefits. What you told us }} New and better infrastructure is needed. }} A higher priority should be given to maintenance of regional and rural road infrastructure, including wider shoulder on roads, sealed edge lines, and better line marking. }} Strong support for making roadsides clear of trees and road furniture. }} 76 per cent supported improving the visibility of road signs and making road features less complicated. }} 76 per cent supported increasing the number of separated bike lanes and paths. What we know works In Victoria, there are three common categories of crashes: crashes at intersections, head-on crashes and crashes where vehicles go off the road. The TAC-funded Safer Roads Infrastructure Program, delivered by VicRoads, has reduced these types of crashes and where work has been done, fatal and serious injury crashes have dropped by an average 36 per cent.

What we’re doing Engineering Making our roads and roadsides safer }} Boost expenditure on the Safer Roads Infrastructure Program to $100 million per year over the next ten years, or $1 billion over the life of the strategy. }} Continue to improve the safety of roads under the Motorcycle Blackspot Program targeting popular touring routes and specific sites that have particular risks for motorcyclists. Road network management – SmartRoads The SmartRoads approach gives different kinds of transport priority on key roads. So while all forms of traffic will be able to use each road, certain routes will be developed to give priority to cars or trucks, or public transport, or pedestrians and cyclists. Improving level crossing safety }} Remove the worst level crossings in Melbourne. }} Improve safety at Victoria’s regional level crossings by investing in the installation of boom barriers and flashing lights. Working with developers to incorporate road safety in the design of new suburbs and developments Make sure that new suburbs are designed with infrastructure that will give people safe travel choices. Implementing outcomes of the Victorian Speed Limit Review We will simplify speed zones by: }} gradually phasing out 90km/h and 70km/h speed zones; }} removing frequent speed limits changes over short distances; and }} reducing sign clutter on busy roads. Drivers will see fewer speed zones and this will reduce potential confusion and help people drive to the speed limits. What you can do }} Drive to the conditions, so if there are hazards slow down. }} Report hazards where you see them. 20 21

Young drivers Strategic direction Background Continue to improve Road crashes are the single biggest killer of young the safety of young Victorians aged 18-25 years. drivers through stronger enforcement, incentives Young drivers make up more than a quarter of all drivers and countermeasures killed in Victoria, yet this age group represents only that target the road safety about 12 per cent of all Victorian licence holders. hazards that put young drivers at particular risk. Federal Government research found that 80 per cent of 23 and 24 year olds admitted to recently exceeding the speed limit and 55 per cent said they recently used a mobile phone while driving.8 What you told us }} 92 per cent supported increasing education of young drivers around road safety risks. }} 81 per cent supported increasing policing of unsafe driving behaviour by young drivers. }} 70 per cent support increasing penalties for unsafe driving by young drivers. What we know works In Victoria, new drivers are introduced to driving progressively through the Graduated Licensing System. The system provides a structured transition as the new driver’s experience and maturity increase. Evaluation of the new Graduated Licensing Scheme is showing it to be highly effectively in bringing down the risks for Victoria’s young drivers with 31 per cent, or 75 fewer first-year drivers, involved in fatal and serious injury crashes per year.

What we’re doing Helping young disadvantaged Victorians gain critical driving experience Education Targeting information to young The TAC will continue to fund the L2P learner driver people likely to take high risks mentor program which helps learners less than 21 when they’re driving years who don’t have a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the driving experience they need to apply for Identify young people most likely to engage in a probationary licence. high-risk driving behaviour and deliver a supportive education program tailored to their needs that Enforcement encourages safer driving. Extending the ban on mobile phone use Helping our children become good drivers We will extend the ban on mobile phones from probationary P1 drivers to P2 drivers. }} Make parents and guardians aware of the effects of their role in modelling positive driving for their Currently, only P1 drivers (first year probationary drivers) children. must not use a mobile phone while driving, including hands-free devices, while P2 drivers have been }} Remind parents about how they can continue to permitted to use hands-free devices. help their children remain safe in their first few years of driving. What young drivers can do Reducing distraction from peer }} Don’t have your party in the car – keep the passengers distractions like music and chatting down so you can concentrate. Use youth related education campaigns to raise awareness of the risks associated with distraction }} Drive the safest car you can afford. from peer passengers. Check howsafeisyourcar.com and the first car buyers list for young people. Extending the Fit to Drive program to be available in all schools in Victoria }} Drive within the speed limit. Fit to Drive is a community program for young people }} Don’t drink and drive when you come off your Ps. that concentrates on personal safety and responsibility giving them strategies to make them safer on the }} Take it easy when you first get your Ps, build up to road. The program actively encourages and empowers long distances and late night driving. young people as road users to look after themselves and their friends. }} Leave the phone alone – don’t talk, text or surf the Net while driving. Targeting those with a history of offending What parents and guardians Develop a Fit to Drive program for young offenders and can do young people at risk of traffic offences. }} Make sure they have safe transport, and consider still picking them up from parties yourself even though they have a licence. }} Talk to kids about staying safe on the roads and model safe driving habits by driving to and obeying all road rules. 22 23

Older road users Background What we know works Currently, drivers aged 75 years and above have a In 2003, the Victorian Parliamentary Road Safety higher risk of dying in a crash than any other age group Committee conducted an Inquiry into Road Safety for when the relatively short distances they travel are taken Older Road Users and recommended that age-based into account. assessment not be introduced as it does not lead to improved road safety outcomes. With the number of Victorians aged 75 years and above forecast to increase by 42 per cent by 2022, improving Recent research supports this recommendation as it the ability of older Victorians to get around safely is a shows that Victorian older drivers are at least as safe vitally important community health issue.9 as drivers in other Australian states or territories where there is some form of age-based assessment. What you told us What we’re doing }} 85 per cent of survey respondents supported educating older drivers on how to assess if they’re Engineering safe to continue driving. Reducing the complexity of the road environment }} 85 per cent of survey respondents supported providing more alternative transport options for }} Simplify Victoria’s road environment with less older people. complex intersections and improved road signage. }} 76 per cent of survey respondents supported }} Clearer signs at major intersections and on major improving the visibility of road signs and making road routes to give older drivers advanced warning to features less complicated. make manoeuvring decisions. Strategic direction Education Letting people know about what will Support the safe mobility keep them safe of all older people through information to support Target older drivers, their friends, family and medical safe travel choices and by practitioners with information like the Victorian Older improving infrastructure Drivers’ handbook and the SafeDrive seminar program, design for older drivers to help older drivers make good decisions about how and pedestrians. they get around. What older drivers can do }} Do your health checks regularly to make sure that your eyes, mind and ears are in good shape for safe driving. }} Drive the safest car you can afford with side air bags if possible. What families and friends can do }} Talk with older drivers that you know to see whether they’re keeping up their health checks. }} Report to VicRoads any serious or chronic medical condition or disability that can affect driving.

Motorcyclists Background Strategic direction Despite the growth in the numbers of motorcycles and Make greater use of scooters over the last decade, Victoria maintains the motorcycle safety lowest fatality rate per registration of any Australian technology and protective State. However motorcyclists still account for 16 per clothing. Better prepare cent of deaths on our roads. new riders to be safe and target enforcement of Learner and first year licensed riders account for nearly unsafe road use among one third of motorcyclists’ fatal and serious injury all motorists. crashes in Victoria, so rider inexperience is a major contributor to road trauma. Almost half of TAC motorcyclist claims include injury to legs and feet. Legs are the most frequently injured body part in motorcycle claims. What you told us }} 80 per cent supported improving education about sharing the road with motorcyclists. }} 79 per cent supported increasing policing of unsafe behaviour by motorcyclists. }} 77 per cent supported a requirement for motorcyclists to wear protective clothing }} 68 per cent of survey respondents supported a requirement for motorcycles to have the same level of identification as other vehicles. What we know works Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) technology has the potential to significantly reduce serious motorcycle crashes, particularly at intersections. Research shows that the overall effectiveness of ABS was 38 per cent on all crashes with injuries and 48 per cent on all severe and fatal crashes. A recent study conducted in Australia showed that motorcyclists were 21 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital if they crashed while wearing motorcycle jackets, and the risk reduced further if they were also wearing motorcycle pants (51 per cent) or gloves.10 Wearing boots (not necessarily motorcycle boots) was associated with a 53 per cent reduced risk of any injury compared to shoes or joggers. 24 25

What we’re doing What motorcyclists can do Engineering }} Wear a full range of protective clothing, especially Improving road and roadside infrastructure boots every time you ride. for motorcyclists }} Make yourself visible by wearing light coloured Continue to improve our roads under the Motorcycle or reflective gear. Blackspot Program, targeting popular touring routes and specific sites that have particular risks for }} Make sure your next bike has an anti-lock braking motorcyclists. system (ABS). Advocating for an Australian Design Rule }} Ride within the speed limit. for Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) on new motorcycles What drivers can do Victoria will encourage the Federal Government to Take your time, especially at intersections, to check introduce an Australian Design Rule for ABS to be for motorcyclists. fitted on all new motorcycles sold in Australia. Education Improving training for motorcyclists Introduce a graduated licensing system for motorcyclists to help beginners develop critical riding skills under safe conditions. Education and media campaigns targeting all road users Continue the ‘put yourself in their shoes’ campaign that highlights risks and actions for both drivers and riders in sharing the road together. Promoting the benefits of protective clothing Develop new education materials that highlight to motorcyclists the benefits of wearing protective clothing. Introduce a mandatory requirement for motorcyclists to wear boots that are at least ankle high to better protect them. Educating recreational and weekend riders Deliver new campaigns on the risks associated with recreational and weekend riding in country Victoria and on long route rides. Enforcement Reducing speeding among motorcyclists Work towards resolving the current inequity that exists between motorcyclists and other road users where motorcyclists are not detected when committing traffic offences due to the lack of a front number plate.

Unlicensed drivers Background What we’re doing Unlicensed drivers and riders are involved in Engineering approximately eight per cent of all fatal crashes. Technology to prevent an unlicensed Unlicensed drivers include people who have not driver from driving yet obtained a licence and people who have had their licence suspended. Investigate the feasibility of technology that will link driver licences with a vehicle, allowing only licensed Unlicensed drivers and riders operate outside of drivers to operate a vehicle. the licensing system and pose a safety risk to other road users. Enforcement Introducing a requirement for all Victorian Based on research undertaken in Australia, the UK drivers/riders to carry a current driver’s and USA, it is estimated that between 25 per cent and licence 75 per cent of unlicensed drivers continue to drive.11 Require all drivers and motorbike riders to carry their Given the over-representation of unlicensed drivers in licence when they’re on the roads, rather than our road crashes, we can achieve very large road safety current seven-day provision for drivers to present their gains by keeping unlicensed drivers off the roads. licence to a police station. What we know works Increasing the ability to detect unlicensed drivers Enforcement technologies such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Systems are highly effective Trial mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition in detecting unlicensed drivers and unregistered Systems (ANPR) that will detect unlicensed and vehicles. ANPR also provides a strong deterrent to unregistered vehicles while they are on the move. those contemplating driving whilst unlicensed. What you can do Strategic direction Don’t get in a car with an unlicensed driver. Remove unlicensed drivers from our roads through targeted, technology-driven enforcement. 26 27

The number of trucks on Victoria’s roads is projected to double by 2025.

Trucks Background What we’re doing Trucks are involved in 16 per cent of fatal crashes. Engineering Road network management – SmartRoads The number of trucks on Victoria’s roads is projected to double by 2025.12 Continue developing the SmartRoads approach, which gives trucks and cars priority on key transport In targeted operations by Victoria Police, an average routes and gives public transport, pedestrians and of one in 11 truck drivers returned a positive test to cyclists priority on others. This reduces the amount illicit drugs. of interaction between trucks and the most vulnerable groups. What you told us Reducing fatigued driving among heavy }} 85 per cent agreed with increasing policing of heavy vehicle drivers vehicle driver road behaviour (such as tailgating). Trial fatigue detection technology for truck drivers }} 84 per cent agreed with increasing driver education to determine the safety benefits of this technology. about sharing the road with trucks. Encouraging uptake of truck safety }} 82 per cent agreed with increasing road safety features education for truck drivers. Continue to promote the uptake of proven truck }} 82 per cent supported a requirement for heavy safety features, such as advanced braking technology, vehicles to be fitted with devices that can lane departure warning technology and seatbelt detect fatigue. reminder systems. What we know works Object detection and warning technology has great potential to help truck drivers detect other road users Nearly half of all truck drivers killed over the last three such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. years were not wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt doubles your chances of surviving a serious crash, yet despite the benefits shown by road safety research time and time again, too many people do not take the time to put their seatbelt on. Strategic direction Safely accommodate the increase in trucks on Victoria’s roads using technology and effective management of Victoria’s road network. Introduce initiatives to encourage everybody to share the road safely. 28 29

Education Informing people about sharing the road with trucks Continue education programs such as the Road to Respect campaign, which encourages both truck and car drivers to recognise that each have a role to play in sharing the road safely. Develop a campaign to improve seatbelt wearing by heavy vehicle drivers. Enforcement Strengthening and enforcing tailgating laws Develop new legislation and trial new technology to allow greater enforcement of tailgating by all vehicles including trucks at high risk locations such as tunnels. Increasing drug testing of truck drivers Increase drug testing of heavy vehicle drivers targeting primary freight routes. What truck drivers can do }} Always wear your seatbelt }} Drive a truck with the latest safety technology like Emergency Brake Assist. }} Don’t drive when you’re tired – take rest breaks. }} Don’t take drugs and drive. }} Don’t tailgate. What other road users can do }} Leave enough braking space, trucks need extra space to stop. }} Be aware that truck drivers cannot always see you – particularly cyclists and pedestrians.

Vehicle safety Background Strategic direction All new cars sold in Australia must meet minimum Increase the availability safety standards. On top of this, the Australian New Car of vehicle safety features Assessment Program (ANCAP), Australasia’s leading in the Victorian car market independent vehicle safety advocate that gives people and encourage the uptake advice on car safety through its safety rating program, of these features. recommends buying cars with 5-star safety ratings. Seventy-five per cent of new cars registered in Victoria last year had a 5-star safety rating. On average, people involved in crashes with vehicles made in 2007 are half as likely to die or be seriously injured as those in vehicles made in 1987.13 Recent Victorian research shows that side airbag systems are highly effective in preventing death and injury in side impact crashes. It also showed a 51 per cent reduction of injury to all areas of the body.14 What you told us you wanted }} 82 per cent supported encouraging car manufacturers to incorporate all available safety technologies into their Australian models. }} 79 per cent supported giving people incentives to encourage them to buy cars with high safety ratings, especially younger drivers. }} 73 per cent supported encouraging fleet owners to buy cars with a 5-star safety rating. What we know works Driving a 5-star safety rated car can significantly reduce death and serious injury. Electronic Stability Control, one of the key mandatory features of a 5-star safety rating, reduces the incidence of a single vehicle crash by 29 per cent. 30 31

What we’re doing Engineering Increasing the safety standards of new Victorian Government passenger vehicles Make sure that all new light passenger vehicles bought for Victorian Government use have a 5-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating. Trialling in-vehicle warnings devices that alert drivers of approaching hazards Trial in-vehicle warning devices to alert drivers of approaching hazards, such as trains approaching level crossings. Education Howsafeisyourcar.com Continue to give people independent information about the safety of new cars based on results from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and used cars from the Used Car Safety Ratings, which analyse real world crash data. Providing advice for younger and older drivers }} Continue to update and promote the first car buyers list, which has been especially designed for young people who are thinking about buying their first car. }} Give older drivers information to consider important safety features when buying a car, such as head- protecting airbags and features that make driving easier and more comfortable - especially important in the case of older drivers. What you can do Drive the safest car you can afford, ideally a 5-star safety rated vehicle.

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Endnotes 1 Coroners Prevention Unit (2012), Presence of alcohol and drugs amongst deaths from on-road transport crashes in Victoria 1 January 2008 – 31 December 2011. Melbourne, Coroners Court of Victoria. 2 Ibid. 3 E Ogden, C Morris, T Frederiksen, C Stough, R King, Do minor tranquilisers (benzodiazepines) increase risk of collision in which the driver is injured, Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference, Perth, 2011. 4 Ibid. 5 Carsten,O. and Tate, F. ‘Intelligent speed adaptation: accident savings and cost–benefit analysis’.Accident Analysis & Prevention 37 (2005), Elsevier Ltd, Amsterdam. 6 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, ‘New data from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute provides insight into cell phone use and driving distraction’, viewed November 2012, http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/ articles/2009/07/2009-571.html 7 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, ‘Transportation Institute releases findings on driver behavior and crash factors’, viewed November 2012, http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2006/04/2006-237.html 8 Vassallo, S., Smart, D., Cockfield, S., Gunatillake, T., Harris, A.,& Harrison, W. (2010). In the driver’s seat II: Beyond the early driving years, (Research Report No.17). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. 9 Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria in future 2012: Population and household projections for Victoria and its regions 2011-2031, Victorian Government, Melbourne, 2012. 10 L de Rome, R Ivers, M Fitzharris, W Du, N Haworth, S Heritier, D Richardson, ‘Motorcycle protective clothing: protection from injury or just the weather?’ Accident Analysis & Prevention, vol. 43, iss. 6, Elsevier Ltd, Amsterdam, 2011. 11 Watson, B., Methodological problems associated with surveying unlicensed drivers, in Proceedings of the 1998 Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference, Wellington, New Zealand. 12 Department of Transport (DoT), Freight Future: Victorian Freight Network Strategy, DoT, Melbourne, December 2008. 13 R Cook, Best practice road safety initiatives in Australia, keynote address, Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference, Canberra, September 2010. 14 D’Elia, A., Scully, J. & Newstead,S. Evaluation of Vehicle Side Airbag System Effectiveness, Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, 2012.

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For this document and current road safety information visit roadsafety.vic.gov.au PB 36