Investing in improved regional roads, not slowing down heavy vehicles. is the key to reducing the rising regional road toll, NSW Farmers has told a state parliamentary inquiry.
The industry body pointed to figures showing that agricultural workers are four times more likely to be killed on Australian roads than other drivers. Meanwhile, local councils across New South Wales are grappling with a $3.4 billion backlog in road maintenance and upgrades.
NSW Farmers’ Business, Economics and Trade Committee Chair, John Lowe, said a significant and sustained funding boost for local road infrastructure was long overdue.
“Drivers have been forced to navigate dangerous potholes, uneven surfaces and other serious hazards on our roads for far too long, and we simply can’t continue with roads like this,” Mr Lowe told the inquiry.
“Serious and sustainable funding to fix our local roads, our truck rest stops, overtaking lanes and bridges is money well spent—because it could save lives.”
Beyond roads, NSW Farmers is calling for a coordinated strategy to ease the burden on the regional freight network. This includes better-connected rail infrastructure to reduce reliance on heavy vehicles, expanded mobile phone coverage for emergency response, and improved driver training programs.
“Trucks are only adding to the wear and tear on our roads,” Mr Lowe said. “Rail lines, in the right place and in the right condition, can really take the heat off.”
“Drivers also need to have the skills to drive to the conditions, and the ability to call for help when they need to, no matter where they are in the state.”
Mr Lowe said meaningful improvements to regional road safety would only come by addressing the underlying causes, including infrastructure shortfalls, limited connectivity, and gaps in driver education.
“We’ve got a long road ahead to improve our road safety—but it’s only by tackling the root causes that we can keep our regional communities safe,” he said.
You can view NSW Farmers’ full recommendations to the inquiry into road trauma here.
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