Australia has recorded its deadliest year on the roads in five and a half years, according to the country’s peak motoring body.
New data from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) showed the road death toll reached 1,247 in the 12 months ending October 2023.
The total is 76 deaths higher than the same time, 2022, and is the highest Australia has recorded since the 12 months ending March 2018, where 1,270 were killed on the roads.
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In the report released by the association, managing director Michael Bradley said Australia’s progress in halving road deaths by 2030 is “wildly off-track”.
Attempting to address the rising toll, the AAA commenced its Data Saves Lives campaign in October, encouraging states and territories to use what’s currently available to bring down the number.
“Data Saves Lives is not calling for new data. We are simply asking the Commonwealth to use its $10 billion in annual road funding to compel the states and territories to release existing data on road quality, crash causes, and key law enforcement issues,” Mr Bradley said.
“Publishing this information would reveal valuable insights to guide road investment, law enforcement, and policy change.
“Transparent management and reporting of existing data is a common sense, inexpensive approach that would save lives.”
All states and territories besides the Northern Territory are in the “red” zone – indicating road crash deaths are above the pro rata of the National Road Safety Strategy target.
The Northern Territory is in the “amber” zone – and is ahead of the pro rata target but a fast improvement is needed to half tolls by 2030.
You can find all the data and the latest report by the AAA on its website.