The South Australian Government has increased funding for road safety initiatives with 109 lives tragically lost on SA roads so far this year.
The Malinauskas Government has matched the Commonwealth Government’s $84 million commitment to SA under the Road Safety Program. This joint commitment including SA’s contribution following the Mid-Year Budget Review brings the total new funding to $168 million.
This funding is in addition to the $98 million road safety package announced as part of the 2023-24 State Budget, bringing the combined total to $266 million over five years to help drive down the road toll.
The significant investment will include funding for new regional works such as shoulder sealing, audio-tactile line markings, delineation, roadside barriers, lane/curve widening and pavement works.
This will see regional roads where work is undertaken improved to at least a 3-star safety rating level, critical given half of all road fatalities this year have been in regional areas.
The projects and locations are being developed now and will be determined throughout 2024.
South Australia’s Minister for Regional Roads, Geoff Brock, highlighted the importance of the investment to overall road safety including for the freight industry.
“The South Australian Government is committed to improving safety on our regional roads,” Minister Brock said.
“These improvements will also make a world of difference for our freight industry, enhancing truck drivers’ working conditions and ensuring safer journeys.
“After a tragic year for fatalities on our regional roads, it is more crucial than ever to improve our regional road network and these upgrades will go a long way to helping reduce the SA road toll.”