Alarm as state’s road deaths and injuries climb

TASMANIA’S road deaths have increased by 39 per cent in the past year, Australia’s peak motoring group has revealed.

Alarmingly, Tasmania was one of only two states where fatalities have spiked since the Australian Automobile Associ- ation’s national road-safety strategy was rolled out in 2011.

In the 12 months to March, 43 people died on Tasmanian roads, compared with 31 deaths in the same period in 2017.

Tasmanian Road Safety Advisory Council chairman Garry Bailey said every road fatality and serious injury was one too many.

“The fact that 13 people have been killed on Tasmanian roads so far this year, compared with seven last year, is a huge challenge,” Mr Bailey said.

“It cannot be left to government alone. Every Tasmanian is responsible for the safety of themselves and others on our roads.

“We can have safer roads, better cars, better training and better enforcement but unless Tasmanians modify their behaviour behind the wheel, Tasmanians will continue to die or be seriously injured on our roads.”

Speed was found to be a factor in 44 per cent of fatal crashes and in 36 per cent of crashes causing serious injury in Tasmania.

An 80km/h speed limit on gravel roads has already been introduced and the Kingborough municipality has reduced the speed limit on its roads from 100km/h to 90km/h.

“A crash may be caused by inattention, fatigue or the use of drugs or alcohol but if you are speeding as well, your chances of survival are greatly diminished.

“A safer road network is being built but this takes time,” Mr Bailey said.

Nationally, 1270 people lost their lives on Australian roads in the 12 months to March 2018.

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