Summary

Vision

Zero lives lost on our roads by 2050

This Strategy sets out what we want to achieve over the next ten years, with a vision that outlines
what we are aspiring to achieve in the future.

Ten-year targets

The South Australian Government is adopting the targets supported for inclusion in the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, of at least a 50% reduction in lives lost and at least a 30% reduction in serious injuries on South Australian roads by 2030. As this Strategy extends to 2031, the targets are adjusted accordingly.

The targets are based on halving the total number of lives lost and reducing the total number of serious injuries by 30% rather than on a per capita basis.

Road safety strategic focus areas

• Road user behaviour - Supporting and enforcing safer road user behaviour
• Aboriginal road safety - Reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in road crashes
• Vehicles - Increasing the use and purchase of safer vehicles in South Australia
• Older road users - Greater focus on road users aged 70+
• Roads - Safer design, construction and maintenance of road infrastructure
• Walking, cycling and public transport - Improving safety for people who walk and cycle and increasing public transport patronage
• Regional and remote areas - Reducing the number of lives lost and serious injuries on regional and remote roads
• Young drivers and riders with a focus on those living in regional and remote areas - Reducing their over-representation in road crashes
• Workplaces - Develop a culture of road safety in South Australian workplaces.

Key highlights of the strategy

A focus on regional and remote areas

Programs and initiatives to improve road safety outcomes will be weighted towards and tailored for regional and remote South Australia due to the disparity in road safety outcomes between metropolitan Adelaide and the rest of the State.

Network safety plan

Evidence-based analysis of relevant data and information will be used to plan and prioritise proposed investments in the most effective road safety treatments that reduce the risk to road users, and this will be set out in a network safety plan for corridors and/or regions.

A focus on workplace road safety

Programs to improve road safety will be developed and delivered in partnership with key stakeholders, representative associations and large employers, given work-related road crashes account for approximately half of all lives lost at work and 15% of lives lost in road crashes.

A focus on Aboriginal road safety

Specific initiatives, developed jointly with Aboriginal Communities’ aimed at reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in road crashes which result in lives lost or serious injury.

A focus on younger drivers and riders in regional and remote areas

Initiatives aimed at younger drivers and riders aged 16 to 24 will be tailored for those living in regional South Australia, given they are around three times more likely to be involved in a crash where they lose their lives, or are seriously injured, compared to Adelaide residents of the same age.

Working with local government

We will work in partnership with local government to improve road safety across the state and local network, consulting with them on proposed actions to ensure that planned measures adapt to the needs of the local area.

The social model approach

The social model approach will be applied to road safety education to reach beyond the traditional participants in the transport sector to every community organisation and enterprise that can contribute to behavioural and cultural change.

Research and data

To achieve our goals, reliable and consistent data and information sources will be developed and implemented to monitor, evaluate and understand the impacts of our actions over the life of this strategy.

Forgiving roads

For new investments, “Forgiving Roads” will be designed to include measures that take into account unintentional road user errors and mistakes, and incorporate features that reduce the likelihood of a crash and reduce their severity when they do occur.

Movement and Place approach

The Movement and Place approach will be used when planning road safety treatments and determining operational settings (e.g. setting speed limits), as this approach delivers improved road safety outcomes by recognising factors in the local environment.

Normalising the use of safe vehicles

Measures will be applied to influence the rate of uptake and use of safer vehicles, given that newer vehicles with more safety features and 5-star ratings produce better road safety outcomes. A focus will be older and younger owners, and residents in regional areas who are most at risk.

A renewed focus on older road users (70+)

A tailored program will be developed for older South Australians, dealing with the key contributing factors to them losing their lives or being seriously injured on our roads, given the proportion of older people relative to the State’s population is expected to grow by 37% by 2031.

Walking and cycling

Specific strategies will be developed to mitigate risks for people who walk or cycle, given the importance of improved safety and connectivity for people who don’t travel by car, truck or motorcycle.

Education

Best practice, context appropriate education and public awareness will be used to educate road users and work towards cultural change.

Greater collaboration across Government

A joined up approach in dealing with specific aspects of road safety will be used to address complex issues that can contribute to our road toll, such as alcohol and drug dependency.

Capacity and capability

We will build and retain capacity and capability across a range of disciplines within both government and organisations involved in road safety.

Measuring success

This Strategy will be supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. This framework will identify how the actions are leading to change, and enable us to review our actions and to change our approach as needed.