Driver behaviour, not road conditions
"When rural roads are the site of horrific fatal crashes, people can be quick to point to the deteriorating condition of the roads...It's preventable things like driver attention, high speeds and distraction — they're primarily the causes of the #crashes we see”

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-31/laurie-whelan-victorian-road-trauma-anniversary/102411156
#Speeding #Motorists #Cars #Roads #Bellingen #AutomaticDrivingModes

Australia’s rising road toll
“Data shows an increase in #speeding and running red lights in NSW and Victoria. ‘People have less patience with #traffic now after the #roads were much quieter for years.”

“There were 1,204 deaths on Australian roads in the 12 months to 31 March, an almost 6% increase. Of the total deaths, 557 were drivers, up 2.2%, while 189 were passengers, up 3.8%. #Pedestrian deaths increased by 22.6%, rising to 163, while motorcyclist deaths climbed 7% to 246.”

“People in regional Australia were almost five times more likely to die in road #crashes than those living in cities last year, the latest statistics show.'

“#Children involved in a fatal crash are eight times more likely to have been struck by an SUV than a standard car.”

“The exponential rise in freight truck and heavy vehicle movements that has far outstripped population growth.”

Reduce #RoadFatalities> “Design roads to appear riskier, which would slow down traffic and force users to consider each other. As driving becomes automated and requires less constant attention, it has de-skilled us as drivers.”
#Infrastructure for #walking and #cycling would help. Meanwhile, #Bellingen widens country roads..

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/21/australias-rising-road-toll-how-the-pandemic-and-a-love-of-big-cars-are-putting-lives-at-risk
#SUV TaxPerks #Trucks AngryMotorists #RoadDeaths #RoadTrauma #RoadDesign #AutomaticDrivingModes #MobilityDesign