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NSW Road Safety Plan to help reduce road toll

The Australian Government announced this week that it will invest $55.1 million in funding for 216 dangerous Black Spots across New South Wales.

The NSW Government have announced a new Road Safety Plan that aims to reduce the state’s road toll.

The plan discusses speeding, drink driving, drug driving, driver distraction, driver fatigue, truck safety, and funding to improve safety on country roads.The NSW Government have announced a new Road Safety Plan that aims to reduce the state’s road toll.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Road Safety Plan is a concerted effort to save lives by making sure roads and vehicles are as safe as possible.

“Every 41 minutes in NSW someone is either killed or seriously injured on our roads, leaving families and friends with the heartache,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“As a Government we know we can do more and that is why this Plan makes it clear if you break the law you will be caught and will pay the price.

“We also want to ensure that our public education campaigns are targeted in the right way.”

New measures to help combat dangerous driving were also announced after 392 people lost their lives on NSW roads in 2017, 12 more than the same time last year.

Police will now have the power to issue on the spot fines and license suspensions for low-range drink driving offences, and allow camera technology to enforce mobile phone offenders.

The current mandatory alcohol interlock program will also be expanded to include all mid-range drink drivers, meaning drivers will need to provide a negative sample for the vehicle to start.

11 new heavy vehicle speed camera locations are planned to address the risks associated with greater truck movements.

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said one of the biggest challenges remains on country roads, which accounted for almost 70 per cent of the State’s road toll last year.

“If you live in the country you are four times more likely to die in a road crash than if you live in metro NSW,” Ms Pavey said.

“This is why we will roll out 1600 kilometres of rumble strips and 300 kilometres in targeted safety works, such as flexible, wire-rope barriers to help prevent run-off-road and head-on crashes on our road network, including the Princes Highway.”

The plan includes a number of initiatives that will be rolled out immediately as well as a number that will be subject to review and consultation.


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