A new $168 million investment in road safety funding will help to save lives by improving regional and urban roads, footpaths and cycleways.
With the road toll rising, and 109 people killed on South Australian roads so far this year, the Malinauskas Government has increased its contribution to match the Commonwealth's $84 million commitment to the state under the Road Safety Program.
The $168 million joint funding commitment, included in this week's Mid-Year Budget Review, is in addition to the $98 million included in the 2023-24 State Budget, bringing the combined total to $266 million over five years to help reduce injuries and fatalities on South Australian roads.
The significant investment will include funding for new regional works such as shoulder sealing, audio-tactile line markings, delineation, roadside barriers, lane/curve widening and pavement works.
This will see regional roads where work is undertaken improved to at least a 3-star safety rating level.
The projects and locations are being developed now and will be determined throughout 2024.
So far this year, around half of all road fatalities have been in regional areas.
The new Road Safety Program also invests in infrastructure that improves safety of people walking and riding including new crossings, safety upgrades at existing intersections and improvements to strategic bikeways.
Priority will be given to improving safety of people walking and riding to school by upgrading crossings.
As put by Stephen Mullighan
This major investment targets regional roads, where about half of all road fatalities have occurred in SA this year, as well as cycling and walking infrastructure across Adelaide and the state.
I am pleased to see the state and federal governments working together to improve road safety and look forward to seeing which projects are given the green light in the new year.
As put by Geoff Brock
The South Australian Government is committed to improving safety on our regional roads.
These improvements will also make a world of difference for our freight industry, enhancing truck drivers' working conditions and ensuring safer journeys.
After a tragic year for fatalities on our regional roads, it is more crucial than ever to improve our regional road network and these upgrades will go a long way to helping reduce the SA road toll.
As put by Joe Szakacs
Safer roads mean safer communities and safer journeys for locals and visitors.
Road crashes, especially those in regional areas, send shockwaves through communities. Improving our regional roads is a major part of the state's effort to curb tragic losses and serious injuries on our roads.
After a tragic year for fatalities, it is more crucial than ever to improve our regional and urban roads, and cycleways to ensure they are as safe as possible.
As put by Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown
Road safety affects all Australians each and every day. Every life lost on Australian roads is heartbreaking for countless families and community members.
The Australian Government is doing its bit by partnering with the South Australian Government to roll out life-saving road safety projects across the state.
I welcome this extra funding, which will help move South Australia toward the Vision Zero target – that is zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 2050.
As put by Charles Mountain, RAA Senior Manager Safety & Infrastructure
The additional $168 million is a welcome investment to improve road safety, especially in our regions and for vulnerable road users.
RAA has continually called for greater infrastructure investment across our road network and a focus on improving the star ratings of roads, and we look forward to seeing which projects will be rolled out to deliver better safety outcomes.
It's also pleasing to see projects that will help protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and school children will be prioritised.
Road and infrastructure upgrades make our roads safer and can help save lives and prevent injuries – which is more important than ever given the horrific year we're having on SA roads.
