A further 13 dangerous crash sites on South Australian roads will be upgraded thanks to an $8 million funding injection through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.
The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring.
This funding is part of the Government’s $1.3 billion commitment to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2025-26 to improve road safety across the nation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would continue to make roads safer across the nation.
“The Government is committed to reducing deaths on our roads and sparing families from the immeasurable impact these tragedies have,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Funding under the Black Spot Program will deliver much-needed safety upgrades to some of the most dangerous sections of our roads, making them safer and keeping commuters and freight moving.
“The Government is investing more than $25 billion in road safety projects over the next four years.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 13 Black Spot projects across South Australia will make an important contribution towards reducing serious road injuries and deaths, and builds on previous investments in the state.
“This Government is investing in road safety right across the nation to ensure Australians get home sooner and safer,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.
“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in South Australia rise to $77.6 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety.”
Federal Member for Barker and Chair of the South Australia Black Spot Consultative Panel Tony Pasin said this investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads throughout the state.
“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent on average,” Mr Pasin said.
“The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of three crashes causing fatalities and 85 crashes causing injuries recorded over the past five years.
“The panel that reviews priorities for the program includes representatives from the South Australian Road Transport Association, South Australian Freight Council, Traffic Management Association of Australia, South Australia Police, Royal Automobile Association of SA, Local Government Association of SA and the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport.”
