Towards Zero needs funding not just commitment

20 March 2009

The RAC says the State Government’s commitment to road safety will be judged on whether it delivers funding for the newly endorsed Towards Zero road safety strategy at the next budget.

The RAC has welcomed the government’s strong endorsement of the strategy but is concerned about the deafening silence surrounding the issue of funding.

RAC spokesman Adrian Firth says the true test for the government will be whether it is willing to provide the funding required to deliver the Towards Zero programs.

“We’re glad the government has moved quickly early in its first term to embrace the Towards Zero strategy,” Mr Firth said.

“But actually doing something about our road toll is neither easy nor inexpensive.

“In the current economic climate, we need to be realistic about this. We’re not expecting the government to sign-off on a blank cheque for road safety.

“The RAC’s Budget Submission has shown the government a sensible and fiscally responsible way forward.

“Towards Zero calls for increased speed enforcement measures through an expanded speed camera program.

“This will raise significant additional revenue for the government through speeding and red light camera fines.

“This additional money should be used to make a modest initial investment in the Toward Zero programs so that we can get this vital work underway.

“The government should have used today’s opportunity to signal it would move in this direction.”

Mr Firth said the government will ultimately have to face up to the issue of funding if it wants to retain credibility on road safety issues.

“Road safety is a whole-of-government responsibility,” Mr Firth said.

“From the Premier down to the backbench, every MP has to accept responsibility to act to reduce the appalling human cost of road trauma.

“There is no escaping the fact that money will have to be found if the government is going to meet this responsibility.

“A recent RAC on-line survey showed that a remarkable 92% of respondents believed that all speed camera revenue should be re-invested in road safety initiatives.

“The RAC and the community is sending a message to the government to start work on cutting the road toll by utilising additional speed camera revenue for Towards Zero programs.”

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