The Australian Government says it has listened to the concerns of road safety experts and stakeholders in the formulation of the new National Road Safety Action Grants Program (NRSAGP).
The program was recently announced, along with the commitment of the continual delivery of the Road Safety Program over the next two years.
The NRSAGP has been established to provide grant fund- ing to programs and initiatives which assist in the Australian Government’s commitment to Vision Zero, and supports the policy objectives set out in the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25.
The NRSAGP will deliver $43.6 million over four years from 2022-23 to support data collection, community education and awareness, First Nations road safety, vulnerable road users, technology, innovation and research.
The plan was agreed to by transport ministers from each state and territory, as well as the Australian Local Government Association. The Action Plan contains over 70 actions which when delivered aim to assist Australians in achieving Vision Zero.
The plan is underpinned by nine key priority areas – data, research, infrastructure planning and investment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, regional road safety, remote road safety, vehicle safety, heavy vehicle safety, workplace road safety, vulnerable road users and risky road use.
To support the progression of improving data quality and accessibility, the Australian Government is investing $18.9 million over three years from 2023-24 to procure road safety data, research and evaluate projects.
The Road Safety Program has successfully delivered 1400 projects to date.
The Australian Government says it will continue funding the program over the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, with over $976 million to be invested in new life-saving infrastructure upgrades and treatments.