NTC deputy chairman says countries need to “pull together” to reduce a rising road toll
May 17, 2011
Marking the beginning of the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety, the National Transport Commission says countries need to work together to reduce a rising road toll.
NTC Deputy Chairman and a member of the National Road Safety Council, Professor Ian Johnston, says more needs to be done to reduce the road toll and injuries from crashes.
Johnston today hosted a presentation from road injury expert Professor Mark Stevenson, who leads the Monash University Accident Research Centre.
“The UN Decade of for Road Safety is a great opportunity for all of us to think about what we can do to keep people safe on our roads,” Johnston says.
“Countries around the world need to pull together to halt this trend of rising global road trauma.”
Based on UN figures, Johnston says the world road toll could reach 1.9 million by 2020. Road traffic injuries have also become the leading killer of young people aged 15 to 29 years.
“Australia has been a world leader on road safety regulation, legislation and public education of the dangers of drink-driving and speeding, but there is still more to be done,” Johnston says.
During his speech, Stevenson gave an overview of the research centre’s work on heavy vehicle and road safety in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
He labelled the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety an important program aimed at halting deaths and injuries worldwide, particularly in developing countries.