The Times Australia
The Times News

.

Despite lockdowns, 1,142 Australians, including 66 kids, died on our roads in the past year. Here's what we need to do

  • Written by Matthew Mclaughlin, PhD Candidate, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle
Made with Flourish

Despite lengthy lockdowns, new data[1] show that 1,142 Australians, including 66 children, died on Australian roads in the past year.

Road traffic deaths remain the number one[2] killer of children in Australia.

Despite fewer cars[3] on the road, we have seen a 25% increase[4] in deaths of children this year, compared to the average from 2017-2020. Although minor fluctuations are typical, this year’s rise represents an additional 13 children dying on our roads.

Deaths on our roads are not inevitable: they are not “accidents”[5], they are preventable. There are more than 150 cities[6] across the world where no kids or adults have died on their roads for five or more years since 2009.

So far this year, in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne, 52, 6 and 69 lives have been lost, respectively. Across New South Wales as a whole, 203 people[7], including 14 children[8], have died so far this year.

We can learn from cities such as Oslo and Helsinki, where pedestrian and cyclist deaths were cut to zero[9] in 2019. We can also learn from Belfast and Edinburgh[10], where they have managed to reduce speed, crashes and road traffic deaths.

So how do we get to zero traffic deaths in Australia? And what other benefits could better safety measures bring?

5 actions to get to zero deaths

We have to start by acknowledging that “humans are human, and we make mistakes[11]”. Therefore, training and education are not enough. We also need to invest in safely designed streets that attract people to walk and cycle, and mitigate the risk of human error.

This is the basis of an approach[12] that has enabled hundreds[13] of cities globally to continually achieve Vision Zero[14] – zero deaths from road crashes.

The World Health Organization outlines five combined actions[15] to make streets safer and more liveable:

  1. implementing traffic-calming strategies[16] – such as those that limit vehicle speeds and reduce congestion by making walking and cycling the default mode for short journeys (for example, road diets[17] that reallocate street space, speed bumps, continuous crossings)

  2. setting lower speed limits for particular roads – such as 30km/h[18] on streets where people live, play and shop

  3. issuing speeding penalties[19], such as fines

  4. embracing in-vehicle technologies[20] as they emerge, such as intelligent speed assist to support drivers to avoid speeding, and autonomous emergency braking to avoid crashes

  5. raising awareness of the dangers of speeding through mass media campaigns[21].

We know what works to create safer and more liveable streets. Matthew Mclaughlin

Speeding[22] is the most common[23] factor in road traffic deaths: more than drink-driving and fatigue. Two-thirds[24] of Australians admit to speeding, and a third[25] of these drivers now admit to speeding weekly. The problem is getting worse, with 17% more[26] drivers admitting to speeding since the COVID lockdowns.

Read more: Busted: 5 myths about 30km/h speed limits in Australia[27]

Campaigns[28] and programs[29] that focus on children may be particularly helpful, but not sufficient on their own. For example, a new grassroots campaign called Safe Streets to School[30] calls on councils to either build crossings and footpaths, or request 30km/h speed limits[31] within 2km of schools.

5 co-benefits of safer roads

Beyond the strikingly obvious benefit of reducing the numbers of children and adults dying and being seriously injured on Australia’s roads, what other benefits would safer streets bring?

There are at least five compelling co-benefits[32]:

  1. Local businesses benefit – designing enticing shopping streets that feel safe leads to more spending[33] in local shops. Big shopping centres have recognised this and have designed people-friendly shopping arcades that are safely separated from cars. Councils should adopt some of these design principles for local shopping streets.

  2. Less congestion, more walking and cycling – more than one-third[34] of city car journeys in Australia are so short they could be cycled in 12 minutes or less, or even walked. More people walking and cycling for short journeys means less congestion. Walking and cycling[35] are also fun, safe, inexpensive and good for our physical, mental and social health.

  3. Improved air and noise pollution – we can save fuel and reduce air and noise pollution[36] by driving at lower speeds, particularly on streets with many intersections and junctions. We can save even more fuel when we feel safe and enticed to walk and cycle short journeys instead.

  4. Social connection and neighbourliness7 in 10[37] Australians value traffic-calming measures and a sense of community. Walkable and appealing streets encourage healthy social connections[38].

  5. Protecting our community – children, people on lower incomes, the elderly and people living with mobility impairments equitably benefit[39] from streets that are safer and more appealing to walk and cycle.

Don’t fall for the ‘nanny state’ rhetoric: it can save lives

Similar to many of these 150 public health examples[40], personal responsibility and education are not enough to reduce the daily Australian toll of three deaths[41] and more than 100 hospitalisations[42] due to road traffic crashes.

The key is acknowledging that humans make mistakes[43] and designing road networks with this in mind. Safer and more liveable streets are a win-win public health policy.

Read more: Cycling and walking can help drive Australia's recovery – but not with less than 2% of transport budgets[44]

The authors would like to thank Professor Jasper Schipperijn for his expert input and feedback.

References

  1. ^ data (www.bitre.gov.au)
  2. ^ number one (www.aihw.gov.au)
  3. ^ fewer cars (www.theguardian.com)
  4. ^ 25% increase (www.bitre.gov.au)
  5. ^ they are not “accidents” (www.rc-rg.com)
  6. ^ 150 cities (www.dekra-vision-zero.com)
  7. ^ 203 people (www.bitre.gov.au)
  8. ^ 14 children (www.dailytelegraph.com.au)
  9. ^ cut to zero (www.theguardian.com)
  10. ^ Belfast and Edinburgh (doi.org)
  11. ^ we make mistakes (www.roadsafety.gov.au)
  12. ^ approach (www.who.int)
  13. ^ hundreds (www.dekra-vision-zero.com)
  14. ^ Vision Zero (visionzeronetwork.org)
  15. ^ five combined actions (www.who.int)
  16. ^ strategies (www.vtpi.org)
  17. ^ road diets (www.victoriawalks.org.au)
  18. ^ 30km/h (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ speeding penalties (journals.sagepub.com)
  20. ^ in-vehicle technologies (www.who.int)
  21. ^ mass media campaigns (www.who.int)
  22. ^ Speeding (theconversation.com)
  23. ^ most common (roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au)
  24. ^ Two-thirds (arsf.com.au)
  25. ^ a third (arsf.com.au)
  26. ^ 17% more (arsf.com.au)
  27. ^ Busted: 5 myths about 30km/h speed limits in Australia (theconversation.com)
  28. ^ Campaigns (safe-streets-to-school.org)
  29. ^ programs (www.yourmove.org.au)
  30. ^ Safe Streets to School (safe-streets-to-school.org)
  31. ^ 30km/h speed limits (theconversation.com)
  32. ^ five compelling co-benefits (cdn.georgeinstitute.org)
  33. ^ more spending (resources.heartfoundation.org.au)
  34. ^ one-third (www.vichealth.vic.gov.au)
  35. ^ Walking and cycling (www.youtube.com)
  36. ^ save fuel and reduce air and noise pollution (cdn.georgeinstitute.org)
  37. ^ 7 in 10 (irp.cdn-website.com)
  38. ^ healthy social connections (doi.org)
  39. ^ benefit (theconversation.com)
  40. ^ 150 public health examples (theconversation.com)
  41. ^ three deaths (www.bitre.gov.au)
  42. ^ 100 hospitalisations (www.bitre.gov.au)
  43. ^ humans make mistakes (www.who.int)
  44. ^ Cycling and walking can help drive Australia's recovery – but not with less than 2% of transport budgets (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/despite-lockdowns-1-142-australians-including-66-kids-died-on-our-roads-in-the-past-year-heres-what-we-need-to-do-170021

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...

What Makes a Small Group Tour of Italy So Memorable?

Traveling to Italy is on almost every bucket list. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sparkling canals of Venice, the country is filled with sights, flavors, and experiences ...