Almost $500, 000 will be shared among 55 grassroots education initiatives across the state to save lives and reduce trauma on Queensland roads.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said this year's Community Road Safety Grants would be rolled out across the state over the next 12 months.
"This year's grants support 55 community-based groups, including schools, councils and not-for-profit organisations, to deliver effective road safety education and awareness initiatives, encouraging safer practices," Mr Bailey said.
"This supports the Palaszczuk Government to achieve our vision of zero road deaths and serious injuries by creating a whole-of-life road safety education approach and building a positive road safety culture.
"We're investing almost $1.7 billion in road safety, to make Queensland's roads as safe as they can be.
"This work will see us prioritise safety upgrades, improve driver education, make school zones safer and develop policies to reduce road crashes and trauma.
"As part of our road safety program, later this month we're rolling out Australia-first cameras to catch drivers illegally using their mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts.
"From September this year, Queensland will also have tougher penalties for drink drivers, with first-time offenders who are convicted of drink driving and have their licence disqualified required to complete a new education program before they can get their licence back.
"These are big picture policy initiatives, but we also need support from the community to help drive our road safety message and that's what Community Road Safety Grants are for.
"The grants will be rolled out from Weipa, in the far north of our state, and as far west as Thargomindah.
"It was encouraging to see several successful grants supporting our diverse and inclusive communities, including people with a disability, and from culturally and linguistic diverse backgrounds as well as our indigenous communities."
Mr Bailey said successful initiatives of the Community Road Safety Grants 2021 funding round included:
- $51,000 for early childhood road safety education
- $87,000 for primary school children's practical bicycle and road safety education
- $190,000 for young drivers to participate in driver education and awareness initiatives
- $26,000 for caravanning, towing and fatigue awareness
- $10,000 for motorcycle awareness campaigns
- $22,000 for older driver practical driving courses
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and we all have a role to play in keeping people safe as they use our roads," he said.
"I congratulate the successful grant recipients, and I have no doubt the projects they deliver will save lives and prevent injury on our roads."
The list of successful applicants can be found on the TMR website at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/roadsafetygrants
