“Despite billions of dollars being spent each year, more people are dying on our roads”. said Ron Finemore AO (Pictured)
Ron Finemore Transport Chairman Ron Finemore AO has today backed growing national calls for data-driven road funding and new Commonwealth-state funding arrangements that will oblige state governments to report on road quality and safety performance as a condition of federal funding.
Mr Finemore AO agrees with a broad coalition of transport and medical bodies campaigning for greater use of road trauma data to create more effective road safety policies and reverse the ongoing increases in annual road deaths.
State and territory governments hold this data, but do not share it with other governments or show it to the Australian community or motorists.
The Federal Government must require all states and territories to release this data as a condition of receiving their share of its annual $10 billion a year road budget.
“Australians deserve transparency so they can see whether politicians are spending their taxes on the areas of greatest need, rather than courting support in marginal seats.”
“Using this evidence in a transparent way to drive road safety policy will make our roads safer for all motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and the men and women who make their living on our roads as drivers,” Mr Finemore said.
“If data is not made available to the Australian Government, Commonwealth, road infrastructure funding decisions will continue to be made in the back rooms of government and subject to the whims of politicians and the political cycle.”
For more information info@datasaveslives.org.au