Northern Territory Road Toll On The Rise

The latest fatality on Territory roads has taken this year’s road toll to the same number of road deaths in 2004.

“The fact that 35 lives have been lost on our roads already this year, compared to 23 at the same time last year which in itself was the worst year on our roads in a decade, demonstrates a failure of Government policy,” says Fay Miller, Shadow Transport spokesperson.

“To have equalled the road toll for 2004 in just over 6 months should have alarm bells ringing in the Transport Minister’s office.

“A complete overhaul of the Henderson Government’s failed road safety initiatives is needed.

“For the Territory Government to achieve a better road safety outcome an honest appraisal of its policy failings is essential.

“It’s critical that the Government returns to the evidence about what is causing the high number of fatalities on our roads and implements policies designed to counter those causes.”

In almost half of all road fatalities in the Territory involve a driver over the legal limit and in more than 50% of fatal accidents in the Territory since 2000 seatbelts weren’t worn when available.

Young people, visitors and Aborigines are high risk groups. 14 of the 35 deaths on our roads this year have been under the age of 25.

Speeding and running red lights are also contributing factors to the Territory’s road toll.

Driver fatigue is another known contributing factor.

Unregistered and unroadworthy cars also contribute to the problem.

“The question is – does the Henderson Government have the courage to implement potentially unpopular road safety initiatives in the year it’s chosen to go to an early election?

“The answer is almost certainly no.”

2008-07-09