ROAD SAFETY ACTION PLAN

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ROAD SAFETY ACTION PLAN

2018-22

A ftve year action plan

for the Northern Territory ^fa NORTHERN

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MINISTER'S FOREWORD

For every family, community, town and city, there is only one target that is acceptable for road fatalities and accidents - zero.

No-one should have to endure the heartache and devastation of losing a loved one, a mate, a neighbour whose life has been cut short or irrevocably changed by a road trauma.

On average 48 people are killed on Territory roads each year and over 540 people seriously injured. This is not acceptable for our community any more.

The Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan puts forward a vision of zero deaths or accidents on our roads, and outlines a strategy to get there. It takes a holistic approach to reducing road deaths and accidents, using the 'Safe Systems' approach, which considers how the whole road system can be more forgiving so that if mistakes are made on the road, they don't kill people.

The Action Plan considers the factors that contribute to better road safety outcomes, from vehicles, to roads to driver behaviour, introduces further measures to prevent illegal and negligent behaviour, and puts forward actions that can create change.

Road safety is one of Government's highest priorities. We have reinstated speed limits on the Stuart Highway, repeat drink drivers will now be recorded on the reinstated Banned Drinkers Register, and we have undertaken the most comprehensive review of alcohol policy and regulations ever seen in the Territory.

But we need your help too, to work towards a safer road transport system where no person is killed or seriously injured - to work Towards Zero.

I thank the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics and the Road Safety Executive Group for their key role in speaking to Territorians in the development of this Action Plan and in helping change our attitude towards road safety.

HON NICOLE MANISON MLA Deputy Chief Minister

Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION VISION GOALS

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY CONTEXT WHERE ARE WE TODAY

WHERE AND WHY ARE OUR CRASHES OCCURRING SAFE SYSTEM

WHAT WE HAVE DONE CONSULTATION SUMMARY KEY PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS

OVERARCHING ACTIONS ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

SEATBELTSAND CHILD RESTRAINTS SAFER ROAD USE

ROADS AND ROADSIDES SAFER VEHICLES

ABORIGINAL PEOPLE NOVICE DRIVERS MOTORCYCLISTS PEDESTRIANS VISITING DRIVERS CYCLISTS

IMPLEMENTATION AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS SUMMARYTABLE

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INTRODUCTION

This Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan (Towards Zero) will work towards improving road safety in the Northern Territory over the next five years. Towards Zero will guide improvements in road safety, making all road users safer and reducing the lives lost and serious injuries on Territory roads.

Actions have been developed to continue the pathway to our longer term vision. The benefits of some actions outlined in this plan will be seen in the short term. Others will have a longer time horizon and are seeking generational change in our community's attitude towards road safety.

The development of Towards Zero has been guided by the Vision Zero concept. The Vision Zero concept has been widely adopted across Australia and globally.

Towards Zero will sit alongside Australia's National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020.

Towards Zero is about looking forward and creating strategies to take road safety to new levels and protect more lives.

VISION

A safer road transport system where no person is killed or seriously injured.

The Towards Zero vision aims to inspire ownership of the Territory's road safety challenges and motivate

Territorians to take action to use our roads more safely.

GOALS

Over the next ftve years unite Territorians to:

Reduce death and serious injury on

our roads.

Cultivate a responsible road culture

and encourage everyone to do the

right thing on our roads.

Work together, share the

responsibility and 'own our need to

improve road safety.

I Road Safety Action Plan 2018-22

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THE NT CONTEXT

The Territory faces many unique challenges in achieving better road safety outcomes and delivering a road network that is safe for all road users.

Approximately three quarters of our

36,000 kilometres of roads are unsealed and our geography and extreme climate creates challenges for road users and road managers.

Our small population of about 244,000 people, is widely dispersed across the Territory from our main urban centres of Darwin, Katherine and

Alice Springs to our very remote communities. This requires people living in our regional and remote areas to spend more time on our roads to access service centres.

Around 30 percent of the Territory's population is Aboriginal, and nearly 80 percent of this Aboriginal population lives outside of the greater Darwin area.

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Accessing public transport, vehicle registration and driver licensing services is more challenging for people living in remote areas. People living remotely find it harder to keep their vehicles in good shape as they don't have the same access to mechanical services as those in urban areas.

People living remotely are also more likely to be driving older vehicles and driving long distances on unsealed roads.

The Territory has the youngest median age, at 32 years, of any state or Territory in Australia. Nearly 60 percent of our Aboriginal population is aged under 30.

The Northern Territory continues to struggle to address the most fundamental road safety issues such as drink driving, wearing seatbelts and speeding. These are all areas where other jurisdictions have made significant progress, however they remain a challenge in the Northern Territory, particularly in our regional and remote areas.

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Lives lost on NT roads each year

540 people are

seriously injured on NT roads each year

The NT road toll is at least 3x the

national rate

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of road fatalities in the NT are alcohol

related

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40% of fatalities

involves people not

wearing seatbelts

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Excessive speed is

a factor in 25% of fatalities in the NT

50% of all fatalities tf

are Aboriginal people

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20% of fatalities in the NT are

pedestrians

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15% of serious road

trauma involves

unlicensed drivers

10% of fatalities are Motorcyclists

71% of all t

NT fatalities

are Males

13% of serious road

trauma involves learners or

provisional licence holders

16% of fatalities

are visitors

7% of serious road trauma 0

involves cancelled or

disqualified drivers

Age groups of fatalities and serious injuries

08-14 15-24 25-34 35-49 50-64

65+

WHERE AND WHY ARE OUR CRASHES OCCURRING

The majority of our road fatalities and half of the serious injury crashes occur on our roads outside of urban areas.

Map 1 - Location of Northern Territory significant mad trauma (2007-2016)

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Darwin

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• Serious injuries • Fatalities

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Road Safety Action Plan 2018-22

Over the last ten years, a large portion of our significant road trauma was related to one or more of the following major factors: alcohol, speed and not wearing a seatbelt. These contributing factors are among the main focus areas for action and are discussed in detail in the relevant section of Towards Zero.

When these contributing factors are not involved in our road trauma, crashes may be attributed in whole or part to distraction, disobeying road rules, loss of vehicle control, un-roadworthy vehicles, not driving to the conditions or not driving to a skill level. The majority of crashes with no contributing factor are single vehicle crashes where a vehicle has run off the road or overturned.

75% of the NT'S roads

are unsealed

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of roads covering 1.3 million square

kilometres

71%

of fatalities are in

rural areas

At the peak of the Dry Season the rate of

crashes increases in the

Northern Territory.

SLOW

Most pedestrian serious

injuries occur in lower

speed zones

Road trauma involving visiting drivers largely

occurs in rural areas.

70% of motorcycle

trauma occurs in urban

areas where speed zones are under 80km/h

Injuries from angle

collisions and rear end crashes are most

prevalent in Darwin

Overturn and run off road are the most prevalent crash types in

rural areas

THE SAFE SYSTEM

Towards Zero adopts the Safe System approach to improving road safety.

The Safe System approach has been adopted in all Australian jurisdictions and worldwide, to create better road safety outcomes.

The system is a holistic view of the road transport system which aims to create a safer road environment for people and vehicles.

The human body is fragile and cannot tolerate the impact of motor vehicle crashes, particularly higher speed crashes.

The Safe System acknowledges the inevitable, that people will make mistakes or poor choices which may lead to road crashes, but the system strives to ensure that those actions do not result in road trauma.

The Safe System is more than just looking at driver behaviour and aims to address all the causes of our road trauma.

Throughout this plan, every action will be linked to one or more of the following elements of the Safe System approach:

Safe road use

No illegal and dangerous behaviour.

Safe roads and roadsides

Protective infrastructure, such as

quality roads, barriers and shoulders.

Safe vehicles

The highest star rated vehicles possible.

Safe speeds

Speed limits are set levels to match the

safety of roads.

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A SAFE ROAD SYSTEM

INCREASINGLY FREE OF DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURY

3d Safe+v Action Plan 2018 - 22

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

The Northern Territory has implemented several key reform measures over the last ten years to reduce the road toll including:

• Significant investment in roads and infrastructure.

• Removal of the open speed limit zones

to implement a 130 km/h default speed

limit on Stuart, Arnhem, Barkly and

Victoria highways and 110 km/h default

speed limit introduced on rural roads.

• Introduction of fixed speed and red light

cameras.

• Random drug testing for all drivers.

• Penalty increases for not wearing seatbelts and Driving Under Influence (DUI) offences.

• A 6 month minimum Learner driver (L Plate) period.

• A 2-year Provisional (P Plate) period for drivers under 25.

• Legislation to restrain children under 7 years including baby seats for children under 6 months of age.

• Complete banning of mobile phone use

(hands free) while driving for Learner (L)

and Provisional (P) drivers.

• Government subsidised urban and remote bus services.

• NT Government Fleet policy to promote purchase ofANCAP 5 star fleet vehicles.

• DriveSafe NT driver education and licensing programs for drivers.

• Improved road treatments and design taking into account vulnerable road

users.

• Legislative changes to the NT Motor Accidents Compensation Commission (MACC) scheme to influence safer driving behaviour.

• Introduction of road safety curriculum

resources.

• Repeat drink drivers included on the Banned Drinkers Register.

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CONSULTATION SUMMARY

The Towards Zero community discussion paper was launched in May 2017. The discussion paper and associated consultation, aimed to start a conversation with key stakeholders and the Territory community about reducing death and injury on our roads, and to get their thoughts and ideas to guide the development of Towards Zero.

The community consultation started on

12 May 2017 and officially closed on

30 June 2017. Feedback was received via an online survey, community forums and through written submissions.

Over 275 people participated in 26 community forums, meetings and information sessions across the Northern Territory, and 452 responded to the survey. Seventeen written submissions were received from community members and organisations.

It was widely stated through consultation that stakeholders and the community appreciated the opportunity to be included in providing a solution to our road trauma.

The Towards Zero vision was broadly supported and ongoing discussion and greater community involvement in keeping our road users safe was encouraged.

Face to face community forums were held in Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs, Jabiru, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy.

Regional sessions were held in Borroloola, Santa Teresa, Wadeye, Millingimbi, Maningrida and Ntaria.

The forums explored the proposed road safety key priority areas, while also discussing possible options to reduce the death and injury on our roads. An interactive voting tool was used to survey participant's level of support for key priority areas.

Although feedback was focused around the discussion paper's proposed priority action areas, other key themes for priority action were raised and these have been included in Towards Zero.

KEY PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS

Road safety reforms and innovations have already contributed to safer road use, however progress has slowed and our rate of significant road trauma is still unacceptably high.

Towards Zero introduces a package of initiatives that will have a positive impact on road safety in the Territory over both the short and long term.

Some actions will need to go through a process of legislation amendment before they can be introduced and additional funding support may be required prior to the introduction of other actions.

Throughout the consultation, we heard that the community were in general agreement with the Key Priorities that should be targeted. Some further priorities have also been identified as a result of the public consultation, and have been included.

While the implementation of all actions will

commence within the timeframe of this action plan, their effect is expected to be seen over the much longer term.

-22

Priority Areas of Towards Zero

Towards Zero will focus on key priority areas and will include actions for the next five years from 2018 - 2022. Current activities that are considered essential ongoing measures have also been highlighted.

• Alcohol and Drugs

• Seatbelts and Child Restraints

• Speed and Driving to the Conditions

• Roads and Roadsides

• Safer Vehicles

• Aboriginal People

• Novice Drivers

• Motorcyclists

• Pedestrians

• Visiting Drivers

• Cyclists

OVERARCHING ACTIONS

The Towards Zero consultation process identified a number of overarching actions which related to multiple priority areas. Rather than repeating these actions in many areas of this action plan, it was decided to elevate these as overarching actions.

1.1

ACTIONS

Develop a repeat offender penalty regime for

consideration by Government. The regime may include:

clamping/seizure and/or other penalties for repeat drink/drug drivers, seatbelt offences, speeding, mobile phone offences, driving unregistered/unlicensed and a review of the Alcohol Ignition Lock program. Impacts on remote communities to be considered.

YEAR LEAD SUPPORT SAFE SYSTEM

DIPL

POLICE/

AGD/DCM ABORIGINAL

POLICY

1.2 Increase dedicated Police traffic enforcement activities,

to support priority areas. 1-2 POLICE

DIPL

1.3

Evaluate and strengthen road safety education

programs including road safety education in the school curriculum.

2-3

DIPL/

DOE 0

1.4 Explore incentive programs which reward good driver/

rider behaviour with other organisations. ^2-3

DIPL 0

1.5 Enable expanded transport options including a review

of urban and remote transport networks. ^3-5

DIPL

1.6

Continually monitor, evaluate, and introduce emerging technology that assists in achieving the vision of the

>tan.

1-5

DIPL/

POLICE

DIPL - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics DCM - Department of the Chief Minister

AGD - Department ofAttorney-General and Justice DOE - Department of Education

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Alcohol is the most significant contributing factor to road trauma on our roads. 40 percent of fatalities and over 20 percent of serious injuries on our roads are related to alcohol.

The rate of alcohol consumption in the Territory is the highest in the nation and among the highest in the world. Research indicates that alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory has been at rates between 50 percent and 100 percent higher than Australia as a whole for nearly 30 years.

Alcohol impaired driving is not just a transport

problem but it is a reflection on a wider public health and social problem.

Our community attitude to drink driving must change before significant progress can be made in reducing our road trauma.

"Just as drinking too much has consequences for an individual, so a

society that drinks too much will also

suffer harm." - How much is too much?

Report (2010)

HOW MUCH HARM IS ALCOHOL CAUSING?

A key finding in the 2013 National Drug

Strategy Household Survey was that people in the Northern Territory were far more likely to consume alcohol in quantities that placed them at risk of harm on a single occasion (at least monthly) than any other jurisdiction, (40 percent compared with 26 percent for the nation).

The Northern Territory also recorded the highest pattern of lifetime risky drinkers (30 percent compared with 18.2 percent nationally). The Territory has the highest per capita alcohol

consumption in Australia, with 13.27 litres of pure alcohol consumed (2011/12) compared to the national rate of 10.04 litres. In some areas, consumption is far higher and measured at 21.1 litres per person.

The Territory has recorded the highest

proportion of deaths attributable to alcohol in Australia. Alcohol attributable death rates in non-aboriginal people are double the national rates, while they are 9-10 times higher for Aboriginal people.

DRUG DRIVING

Drug Driving is an emerging and concerning road safety issue across Australia.

There are a number of drugs (both legal and

illegal) that have the potential to affect driving.

Use of illegal drugs or misuse of prescription drugs can make driving a car unsafe—just like driving after drinking alcohol.

Drug driving puts the driver, passengers, and others who share the road at risk. Since February 2015, Northern Territory Police have the right to pull over any driver, at any time

for a random drug test and test their saliva for traces of illicit drugs including THC, the active component in cannabis, methamphetamine (speed) and ecstasy.

In conjunction with all Australian jurisdictions, the Australian Government is currently focusing on ways to mitigate the drug driving risk,

including innovative testing and streamlining of the prosecution process. The NT will continue to monitor these best approaches to ensure that the testing regime is both appropriate and effective in our jurisdiction.

40%

if people charged with drink driving in the Northern Territory had a prior drink

driving conviction

60%

The re-offending rate increases to nearly 60% for high range drink driving offences

OVER HALF

of Aboriginal and over a quarter of non-aboriginal road related fatalities can be

attributed to alcohol

Alcohol consumption is often combined with speed and not

wearing a seatbelt

Males comprise over 70% of all alcohol related

fatalities

Drivers who are unlicensed feature

significantly as repeat drink drivers Plnn 9018- 99

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

The Northern Territory Government has implemented a range of measures to address drink driving and drug driving. These activities are considered essential ongoing measures:

• Reinstatement of the Banned Drinker Register to limit the supply of takeaway alcohol to people who have two low range drink driving offences or a single mid-range or high range offence.

• Undertaking the Alcohol Policies and

Legislation Review, to prevent and reduce the harm associated with alcohol misuse.

• Drink driving mass media campaigns, including the recent Enough's Enough drink driving campaign.

• Targeted enforcement of drink and drug driving.

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

• School and novice driver education programs.

• Education through Aboriginal licensing programs.

• Driver education, licensing and the Back on Track Drink Drug Driver Program in the Darwin and Alice Springs prisons and some low security work camps.

• Support for regional and remote passenger transport services.

• Introduce ridesharing as a cost effective alternative transport.

• Removed red tape to allow businesses to operate courtesy vehicles more freely.

"/ know so many people in my social circle that have this mentality that drink driving

/s okay and unfortunately in my experience, nothing you can tell them will make them

stop. It seems to be a cultural norm especially for those young people who live out in the rural to drink drive. Educating these people will not work; they need to be penalised for

their actions." - Towards Zero survey response

Many participants acknowledged that much of the alcohol related road death and injury is a consequence of a wider health substance abuse problem in the community. Tackling this wider issue will improve road safety outcomes.

Other areas of concern included: the high level of recidivism, the escalating illicit drug problem and the high number of alcohol impaired pedestrians.

Key areas suggested to tackle drink and drug driving included: alcohol access, management and treatment options, late night public

ACTIONS

transport options in urban areas and safer alternative transport options in our rural and remote areas, targeted enforcement, tougher penalties, and increased education and awareness. There was strong support for a vehicle seizure regime with appropriate exemptions.

The need for appropriate infrastructure in high risk areas to protect impaired pedestrians was also suggested (this is further discussed in the pedestrians section of Towards Zero).

2.1 Implement a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for supervising drivers.

YEAR LEAD DIPL

SUPPORT POLICE

SAFE SYSTEM

0

2.2 Review penalties for drug driving and the process for

prosecution. 1-3

DIPL POLICE/AGD 0

2.3 Develop options for approved Drink Driver education

programs to increase accessibility and maximise uptake. ^1-3

DIPL AGD/DOH 0

2.4 Deliver a targeted drug driving community awareness

campaign that is aligned with Police enforcement.

3-4 MACC DIPL/POLICE 0

DOH - Department of Health

The overarching actions in Towards Zero, including a repeat offender regime, greater Police enforcement and exploring expanded transport options, will also address this priority area.

SEATBELTS AND

CHILD RESTRAINTS

Seatbelt wearing rates in Australia are among the highest in the world; however, on average over the last ten years, approximately

40 percent of fatalities and 10 percent of serious injuries in the Northern Territory are related to not wearing a seatbelt.

Seatbelts and child restraints do not prevent crashes, but they increase your chance of surviving a crash by up to 50 percent. In 2016, 13 of the 35 fatalities involving drivers or passengers on Territory roads, involved people not wearing a seatbelt. The simple task of buckling up may have saved half of these lives.

A correctly fitted and used child car restraint, appropriate for the child's age and size, can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in road crashes. Unfortunately our statistics still show that children aged 0-14 are more likely to be unrestrained if the driver is unrestrained. Failure to wear a seatbelt is most prevalent in young people aged 15-24 years.

In the consultation about 12 percent of respondents indicated that they do not always wear a seatbelt.

Our rural and remote locations experience the highest rates of not wearing seatbelts. This may be attributed to a number of reasons including low perceived risk of having a crash close to home, driving on unsealed roads at low speeds, less understanding of the safety benefits of seatbelts, and rural communities and towns having a more relaxed approach to road safety as road networks are less congested and not complex.

The incidence of not wearing seatbelts increases where drivers and passengers are intoxicated, increasing the chance of death or serious injury.

Fatalities attributed to not wearing seatbelts are more likely to occur on roads with higher speed limits in our rural and remote areas.

Vehicle overcrowding, where all passengers do not have access to a seatbelt, is another significant issue which needs to be addressed in our rural and remote communities to save lives and reduce injury.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

• Targeted Police enforcement campaigns.

• School and community education programs.

• MACC urban and rural/remote seatbelt community awareness campaigns.

• MACC partnership with Kidsafe to build

capability in remote areas to fit child restraints.

• MACC partnership with the Michael Long

Leadership and Learning Centre Program focussing on seatbelt education for Aboriginal youth.

• Working with community and health organisations to promote the use of child restraints.

' MACC child restraint pilot program in Borroloola, to educate and increase use of child restraints.

Support for regional and remote passenger transport services, to provide an alternative to travelling in overcrowded vehicles.

Road Safety Action Plan 2018 - 22

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

"/ am shocked that this is even an issue. Clearly people are not understanding the importance of wearing a belt and using it. More education is where I would start. "

- Towards Zero survey response.

"Following decade's worth of Australian and International research, the evidence is irrefutable that seatbelts and child restraints save lives." - Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

To help make sure people wear seatbelts and use child restraints, many suggested increased targeted education and awareness campaigns to highlight the risks. These should coincide with targeted enforcement campaigns. It was also acknowledged that targeting education at an early age and mandating road safety

in the school curriculum would assist in the development of safer behaviours and attitudes.

Other key suggestions focused on extra enforcement, increasing penalties, programs which provide financial support for the purchase of restraints and assistance in the provision and fitment of restraints in remote areas.

CAR SEATS FOR KIDS

MACC Aboriginal Child Restraint Program

Too many Aboriginal kids are dying or seriously injured on Northern Territory roads because they are not properly restrained. The problem is becoming much worse in remote communities where it is normal for babies and toddlers to be carried on laps, standing on seats or even riding in the back of a ute.

With more than 150 Aboriginal communities spread across the NT'S most remote areas, MACC recognised the enormity of the task and decided to tackle one community at a time.

In October 2016 MACC funded a pilot program

"Buckle up Borroloola" in partnership with

McArthur River Mine, Mabunji Aboriginal

Resource Centre and Kidsafe NT. In the ftrst eight months 160 child restraints have been fitted to vehicles in Borroloola and surrounding communities. Nine locals have been trained as filters and Kidsafe has participated in three open days to promote the availability of car seats and provide fitting services.

A survey at the June 2017 Borroloola Show showed the number of parents indicating

Kidsafe's Megan Fernando shows a local Mum how to properly fit her daughter to a baby seat.

they had at least one child restraint fitted to their vehicle had increased from 47 percent in 2016 to 58 percent. The local Borroloola Police sergeant reports most children observed at Random Breath Testing Stations are now correctly restrained.

The success factors and lessons learnt from the pilot program have created a working model for the MACC "Car Seats for Kids" program which is being progressively rolled out to other communities in the coming year and beyond.

3.1

ACTIONS

Continue to facilitate and expand Aboriginal child restraint programs which provide access for the fitment of child restraints.

YEAR LEAD SUPPORT SAFE SYSTEM

2-5

MACC/

DIPL DOE/DOH/

POLICE 0

The overarching actions in Towards Zero, including a repeat offender regime, greater Police enforcement and strengthened education will also address this priority area.

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SAFER ROAD USE IportKeat^

SPEED

The faster you drive the longer it takes to stop.

In any crash, speed determines the level of injury, and a small reduction in speed greatly increases the likelihood of surviving a crash.

This is particularly the case where motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists are involved.

Speeding includes exceeding the posted speed limit and failing to choose an appropriate speed for the prevailing road and weather conditions.

A key challenge is changing driver attitudes to speeding. Research has highlighted that drivers in the Territory have difficulty understanding the relationship between speed and crash risk.

DRIVING TO THE CONDITIONS

Driving to the road conditions is an important contributor to improving road safety.

Road conditions in the Territory may change suddenly due to extreme weather conditions and can include flooded roadways in the wet. The road environment can also vary for other reasons including when trafftc management is in place for roadworks, heavy vehicle convoys, traffic congestion, bush fires or where there has been a

crash.

DRIVER DISTRACTION

Distraction is a serious road safety issue and is often the trigger in a potentially fatal chain of

events.

Distraction occurs when a driver or rider's

attention is diverted away from the core activities of driving or riding. We know that distraction from mobile phone use and other technology is an increasing problem on our roads.

Unfortunately speeding in the Territory is not consistently viewed as illegal, harmful or socially unacceptable behaviour and 'low level speeding' is considered acceptable.

The last Community Attitudes to Road Safety survey showed that 44 percent of NT respondents believed it was acceptable to speed on our roads, for example, by up to lOkm/h in a 60km/h zone. This attitude has to change as safe speed limits are set based on the type of road, traffic volumes and the mix of road users.

Drivers need to adapt their behaviour to meet these varied conditions.

All road users must consider how their road use can positively influence safer driving and riding.

Driving to our capabilities and our vehicles limitations, are among some of the changes to driving behaviour that all drivers and riders can practice.

Public understanding of driver distraction is low and many drivers and riders tend to view distraction as a normal part of driving, ignoring the possible fatal outcome of their choices. Alarmingly, the Towards Zero Forums survey results showed that only 18 percent of drivers reported never using a mobile when driving.

The incidence of distraction as a contributing factor in crashes tends to be under reported, as it is difficult to determine and drivers may not acknowledge that they were distracted at the time.

1 in 4 fatalities in the Territory are related to

speed

Three quarters of speed related road fatalities occur

in urban environments

Approximately 80% of speed related fatalities

involve males.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

• Periodic reviews of speed zones on the Territory road network.

• Speeding, mobile phone and road rule enforcement campaigns.

• Speed and red light cameras at high risk intersections.

• Enforcement through use of mobile speed and

Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

cameras on Police patrol cars.

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

• Road Report website and Facebook

www.roadreport.nt.gov.au

• School and community education programs.

• Distribution of educational and trip planning resources to tourism centres (multilingual travel plans).

• Safe driving awareness campaigns that include free vehicle health checks, promotion of safe driving practices, and sharing the road safely with heavy vehicles.

"Research shows that a 5 percent increase in speed leads to a 15 percent increase in serious injury crashes and a 22 percent increase in fatal crashes." - Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

"This one is hard. I try my best to stick to speed limits. I feel the pressure to speed, as it seems everyone passes you while doing the limit, or tailgates you. I think obvious cameras would he/p to keep people within the limit." - Towards Zero survey response.

In relation to speed, driving to the conditions and distraction, the benefits of using technology to enforce safe travel speeds was widely

acknowledged. There was general support for increasing the use of camera technologies to detect speed, consistent application of speed limits, and more speed limit and advisory signage.

Many suggestions were around the benefits of reducing speed limits, and a few called for the return of open speed limits. Key themes suggested for action focused on enforcement, penalties, reviewing speed limits, education about speed and improving road infrastructure and pavement.

ACTIONS

Many acknowledged driving distractions, through the use of mobile phones and other personal technology devices, are becoming an increasing risk and difficult to address. It was emphasised that targeted enforcement campaigns in

combination with broad community awareness, of the risks and risk reduction strategies is vital.

Other suggested areas for action focused on school and driver education, enforcement, tougher penalties, car use blocking technologies and fleet policies.

YEAR LD\D SUPPORT SAFE SYSTEM

4.1 Increase penalties for mobile phone use to align with

other Australian jurisdictions.

DIPL POLICE 0

4.2

Review the coverage of red light/speed cameras;

identify and increase the use of technological solutions, including ANPR, to support increased enforcement of traffic offences.

1-2 DIPL

POLICE

4.3 Deliver a speed and driving to conditions awareness

campaign which aligns with Police enforcement.

1-2 MACC DIPL/POLICE

4.4 Deliver a driver distraction awareness campaign,

aligned with Police enforcement

1-2 MACC DIPL/POLICE 0

4.5

Develop a consistent speed limit policy across the Northern Territory for consideration by Government, including high speed traffic intersections, high pedestrian areas, and local government roads.

2-3 DIPL

POLICE

4.6 Implement new speed enforcement technology

ncluding point to point and mobile infringement units. 3-5 DIPL

POLICE

The overarching actions in Towards Zero, including a repeat offender regime and greater Police enforcement will also address this priority area.

ROADS AND ROADSIDES

The Northern Territory road network is spread across a vast 1.3 million square kilometres with a large proportion of people living in remote and regional areas. The Northern Territory has over 36,000 km of roads, more than 220 bridges, thousands of river and creek crossings, 55 roadside rest areas, 131 truck parking bays and 260 km of urban shared paths.

Improving the network and developing infrastructure to meet growing demands is costly. Extreme weather conditions and poor economies of scale provide challenges which contribute to higher construction and maintenance costs.

A large proportion of the road network is unsealed, and the condition of many roads means that improvement works start from a low infrastructure base, and roads are vulnerable to wet weather.

Roads in key remote and regional areas are being progressively upgraded to improve access all year around, in-turn creating and supporting the delivery of essential services, freight access, and achieving better road safety outcomes.

ROAD SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE

Audio Tactile Edge Lines

$2.1 million has recently been invested to install audio

tactile edging at high risk areas on the Stuart and Barkly

Highways. Audio tactile edge lines assist in reducing rural road crashes by warning road users who may veer towards the road edge.

Rest areas

There are 131 truck parking bays and 55 rest areas on Northern Territory highways. An additional three rest areas ($2.9 million) and for four Truck Parking Bays ($2.7 million) are now under construction.

Wire Rope Barriers

Wire Rope Safety Barriers, also known as flexible barriers, are made up of tensioned wire ropes. They absorb the force of a crash and significantly reduce the risk of death and serious injury. These barriers have superior safety performance, compared with concrete and steel barriers.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

• Incorporating Safe System principles in road designs.

• Continuing to invest in roads to achieve road safety outcomes through general upgrades and the National Black Spot Program.

• Undertaking targeted road safety audits and speed limit reviews.

• Implementing a National Network Road Safety and Fatigue Management Program

including: intersection upgrades, culvert widening, guardrails, audio tactile edge lines and the duplication of highways, where there is a high percentage of heavy vehicle traffic.

Developing appropriate regulations to ensure safe signage and business activities within road reserves.

Lobbying the Commonwealth Government for increased investment in roads.

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

"The Northern Territory and Australian Governments should invest significantly in the

national highway network to ensure that all medium and high risk roads are upgraded to

low risk status." - The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

"More signage about overtaking lanes so peop/e stop taking unnecessary risks out of impatience" - Towards Zero survey response.

Suggestions to make our roads and roadsides safer focused on the importance of increased targeted investment in road maintenance and the application of road safety treatments.

Infrastructure treatments such as audible tactile edge lines, installed on a stretch of the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Katherine, received significant positive feedback.

There was strong support for more speed and advisory signage, and a review for safer and more consistent speed limits. There was also clear support for more advisory signage to keep drivers aware of hazards, fatigue awareness and changing road conditions. This was especially an issue on long stretches of road.

A significant level of concern was expressed over the limited shoulder width on roads with

high speed limits. This impacts the ability for

drivers to correct back into the lane if they drift.

Increased overtaking lanes, widening centre lines to separate oncoming traffic and clearer line markings were consistent themes to improve safety on our main highways.

The wet season does extensive damage to roads in the Territory, and the community highlighted the need to ensure maintenance and advisory information is up to date, especially in relation to rural and remote roads.

Flooded roads pose extensive dangers, and it was consistently suggested that solutions such as continued upgrade of crossings and bridges were a solution, as was providing better advisory warning signs well in advance of the

crossing.

5.1

ACTIONS YEAR LEAD SAFE SYSTEM

Complete a comprehensive network safe system risk assessment of

the Northern Territory road network, commencing with high risk areas 2-3 DIPL within urban areas.

5.2

Develop a targeted road safety infrastructure investment program to

target high risk areas, including investing in tactile edging, line marking, 2-3 DIPL shoulder widening, barriers and rest areas.

5.3

Review and improve road safety signage across the Northern Territory road network including increase speed awareness signs, distance to destinations, overtaking lanes and rest stops.

3-5 DIPL

000

5.4 Develop a Territory wide policy to manage access to flooded roads. 3-5 DIPL

0

5.5 ;ontinue to lobby the Australian Government for continued funding

support for roads investment in the Northern Territory. 1-5 DIPL

5.6 Continue to invest in roads infrastructure in the Northern Territory

including rest stops, road sealing and river crossing upgrades. 1-5 DIPL

5.7 Explore the opportunities for the use of Intelligent Transport Systems

I.T.S) and plan for the accommodation of automated vehicles. 1-5 DIPL

SAFER VEHICLES

Improving the safety of the vehicles using our roads reduces the likelihood of crashes and the severity of the outcomes.

There have been major improvements in vehicle safety technologies over the last decade, and these improvements reflect steady advances in automotive safety design. In Australia, regulation and standards for new vehicle safety and design are set in Australian Design Rules (ADRs) by the Commonwealth, in consultation with industry, the States and Territories.

Vehicle technology solutions are actively making our roads safer right now. Auto

Emergency Braking (AEB) significantly reduces

rear end crash risk and Electronic Stability Control reduces single vehicle crashes by detecting and reducing the vehicle's loss of fraction. Other safety improvements including better side impact protection, seatbelt

reminders and frontal crash protection have increased the level of protection for vehicle occupants and other road users.

As increasing numbers of safer vehicles are purchased, especially by corporate fleets, more people will be protected resulting in flow on effects as these vehicles enter the second hand market.

The Northern Territory's vehicle fleet has one of the youngest average ages in Australia.

However, we also know that vehicles in remote areas are much older and can be in poorer condition. We also have a significant number of unregistered or unroadworthy vehicles being involved in our crashes.

Buying the safest car you can afford, new or used, is a way of keeping yourself and others safer. Additionally, regular maintenance is another way to keep your vehicle in safe working order.

Workplaces also have a responsibility to provide safe fleet vehicles and to work with employees to develop and encourage safe driving practices.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

• Trial of an autonomous vehicle.

• Participate in consultation and contribute to National Vehicle Standard Regulation and compliance.

• Mandatory Northern Territory Vehicle inspection regimes for private, business and heavy vehicles.

• Authorised Inspector Scheme allowing more authorised inspectors to inspect your vehicle.

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

• Participation in policy and regulatory development to accommodate autonomous vehicles.

' School and community awareness promoting safer vehicles, including free vehicle health checks.

Northern Territory Government membership of theAustralasian New Car Assessment Program

(ANCAP).

"Bush vehicle standards are very poor, particularly, remote. Without proper enforcement and regular roadworfhy inspections more will crash, they are not

limited to human error." - Towards Zero survey response.

Many participants raised the issue of the risk that unroadworthy or unsafe vehicles pose.

Suggestions focused around the need to encourage the uptake of safer vehicles and ways to remove access to un-roadworthy or dangerous vehicles from our roads. However,

it was acknowledged that affordability often

impacts the ability for uptake of safer vehicles.

Input from large fleet users indicated that better fleet driver monitoring and implementation of safe driving policies could influence safer road user attitudes and behaviours.

22 I Road Safety Action Plan 2018 - 22

ANCAP

When it comes to safety, not all cars are equal.

You have twice the chance of being killed or seriously injured in a 3 starANCAP safety rated car compared to a 5 starANCAP safety rated car.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program

(ANCAP) is Australasia's leading independant

vehicle safety advocate. ANCAP provides consumers with vehicle safety information by publishing ofANCAP safety ratings.

ANCAP safety ratings use a rating system of 1 to 5 stars to indicate the level of safety a vehicle provides for occupants and pedestrians in the event of a crash as well as its ability - through technology - to avoid a crash.

The ANCAP test program includes a number of physical crash tests including: Frontal offset, side impact, pole and whiplash.

A number of other safety feature assessments form part of the overall ANCAP safety rating

process.

When buying your next car, look for the one

with the highest star rating with the latest rating

date-stamp you can afford. The more stars, the better the vehicle performed in ANCAP tests. The more recent the date-stamp, the more stringent the criteria it has been assessed against.

Compare your car with ANCAP's latest safety standards and discover more about vehicle safety testing at ancap.com.au or download the

ANCAP app.

ANCAP 2 Star Rating

In a 2 starANCAP safety rated car, there is a high risk of serious injury or death resulting from injury to the head and right leg of the driver.

Red (poor) for the head, lower right leg and both feet of the driver indicate that these injuries are likely to be serious and life threatening.

Orange (marginal) shown on the body of the driver and passenger also indicates high levels of exposure to serious injury or death.

ANCAP does not recommend purchasing cars with less than 5 stars.

ANCAP 5 Star Rating

In a 5 starANCAP safety rated vehicle, the prominence of green (good) for the head, body and legs, illustrates a high level of protection and survivability for both driver and passenger.

Yeiiow (sccfcptable) on the lower legs and the chest of the passenger, shows only a slight chance of serious injury to these areas, which are not likely to be life threatening.

ANCAP recommends 5 star rated cars.

6.1

ACTIONS

Continue to promote the purchase ofANCAP 5 star rated vehicles and vehicle safety features.

YEAR LEAD SUPPORT SAFE SYSTEM

1-2

DIPL 0

6.2

Northern Territory Government and other organisations to develop and model safe driving policies and programs that encourage and reward safe driving and the uptake of safer vehicles.

2-3

DIPL

NT Fleet

0

The overarching actions in Towards Zero including greater Police enforcement and education, will also address this priority area.

ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

Aboriginal people represent approximately 30 percent of the Northern Territory's

population but are tragically over-represented in our road safety statistics accounting for around 50 percent of road fatalities.

Alcohol is the biggest contributing factor to road fatalities involving Aboriginal people, with nearly 54 percent of deaths attributed in whole or part to alcohol. Not wearing seatbelts is also a factor in over half of these deaths.

People living in remote regions face a wide array of health, social disadvantages, and unique road safety challenges. These include varying and sometimes poorer road conditions, delayed access to medical services, increased road hazards and a need to travel longer distances on higher speed or unsealed roads.

Lower rates of vehicle ownership, mean travel in open load spaces and vehicle overcrowding

is common, with fatal consequences in some crashes.

Aboriginal men are disproportionally

represented in fatal and serious injury crashes and over 60 percent of road trauma involves unlicensed, cancelled or disqualified drivers.

Unlicensed driving also contributes to the over representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.

We need to build on and develop partnerships to foster and encourage changes in attitudes and behaviours that reduce the death and injury of Aboriginal people on our roads. A 'one size ftts all' approach is not the best solution, future approaches to road safety in our regions and communities need to be tailored and developed in partnership with Aboriginal people.

DRIVESAFE NT REMOTE

According to Jules "Having a driver licence makes life a lot easier."

For Aboriginal people living in our vast remote regions, a driver licence is far more than an approval to drive; it is a passport to opportunity.

A driver licence is the plastic social capital that assists economic and social participation like getting a job and being able to help family.

Aboriginal Australians are underrepresented in driver licence ownership and many jobs in remote communities require a valid drivers license. DriveSafe NT Remote is the Northern Territory Government's end-to-end licensing program that supports Aboriginal people in 75 remote communities through the licensing

process.

A lack of licenced drivers in Wadeye is impacting on the comunities ability to deliver services.

According to Tracy Porter, the Primary Health Centre Manager at Wadeye, there were 16 vacancies for local people to work at the clinic in administration, health-related or second responder roles.

Jules successfully completed his practical driving test with DriveSafe NT Remote in Wadeye in

November 2017 and now works at the Clinic.

According to Jules, the best thing about having his provisional licence is "being able to help family". This means helping with the shopping and helping family attend appointments at the Clinic.

Jules is also role model for younger people in the Wadeye community.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

• DriveSafe NT Remote Driver Education and Licensing Program - free remote driver education, training and licensing services.

• Digital online driver education resources in English and language.

• The Michael Long Leadership and Learning Centre road safety education sessions

(MLLLC).

• Road Safety Community Grants Program.

• The regional and remote school road safety education program.

• MACC campaigns in language for seatbelts and drink driving.

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

» Targeted initiatives involving the arts - including the road safety ftlm competition and theAII-Stars Road Safety Band.

> Ongoing government support for regional and remote passenger transport services.

' Industry engagement and employment pathways program to enable access to driver education and licensing program for selected remote students.

MACC ten year commitment to the MLLLC Program for Aboriginal youth road safety education.

"Use local Indigenous knowledge & research with Indigenous groups to develop road safety programs for Indigenous Australians led by a communify-based road safety educator." - Towards Zero survey response.

"More education in remote areas about driving and as the driver the responsibility you have to keep your passengers and community safe." - Towards Zero survey response.

It was acknowledged by almost everyone that the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in our crash statistics is complex and challenging, and linked closely to wider issues of social disadvantage.

Consultation identified the benefits of working through or in partnership with other organisations, particularly health organisations that are already engaging and working in communities delivering health and social welfare programs.

It was also strongly recommended that people need to work with and support Aboriginal people and groups to develop tailored initiatives for their communities.

Key themes suggested for action were: school education, driver training and licensing, visible and increased enforcement, community

engagement, safer alternative transport options in our rural and remote areas, and removing access to unroadworthy or dangerous vehicles.

There were, however, many who believed that the application and enforcement of the law should not discriminate.

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

ACTIONS

develop place based strategies and initiatives to :reate positive road safety culture in partnership vith remote communities.

continue to expand DriveSafe NT Remote to naximise road safety outcomes in communities.

)evelop and deliver targeted and culturally ppropriate road safety campaigns and messaging i language, including school resources.

>evelop strategies to address the over

ipresentation of Aboriginal people incarcerated

?r traffic offences.

'evelop targeted and culturally appropriate rategies to minimise possible suspension of :enses, as a result of any unpaid fines.

YEAR

1-5

1-2

1-2

1-2

1-2

LEAD SUPPORT DIPL

DIPL DIPL/

MACC/

POLICE

AGD/DCM DIPL ABORIGINAL

POLICY DIPL/

AGD

SAFE SYSTEM

0 0 0 0 0

The overarching actions in Towards Zero, including stengthening education, incentive programs and exploring expanded transport options will also address this priority area.

NOVICE DRIVERS

Research shows that newly licensed drivers, regardless of their age, are at their highest risk within their first year of unsupervised driving. Inexperience and immaturity largely contributes to why novice drivers are over represented in our road trauma.

Research shows that the younger a driver starts to drive unsupervised, particularly before the age of 18, the higher the crash risk. Further, young drivers who undertake extensive supervised driving practice in a variety of conditions, can reduce their crash risk by up to 40 percent.

Positive role modelling by parents or those teaching driving skills, can have an influence on how young people drive in the future.

Instilling safe behaviours and attitudes from a young age is a key factor in developing safer road users.

All drivers need to understand their

responsibility for road safety and commit to safe driving practices. Strengthening learner driver training and licensing requirements can assist in equipping young drivers with the skills to be safe and responsible on our roads.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

' Road Safety school education programs - in 2016, 295 education sessions were delivered at 101 schools and early learning centres to over 15,000 participants.

The senior school Choices Program was delivered to 1210 students in 2016.

The DriveSafe NT Driver Education and Licensing Programs, which included

subsidised driving lessons, delivered in major urban centres.

• The DriveSafe NT Remote Driver Education and Licensing Program is available in

74 communities across the Territory.

• Online learner driver testing and new learner driving handbooks.

29%

Young drivers (16-25 years) comprise only 22% of licensed drivers but are over represented and involved in at

least 29% of all crashes.

40%

of all speed related trauma involves young people.

Male drivers comprise about 65% of road trauma in the 16-25

age group.

r^

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

"Stop and think about what my life means to my family before I jump in my car and

remember that it's a privilege not a right to have a licence to drive." - Towards Zero survey response

"Increasing fhe probationary period to an age which research shows a greater ability

to assess risks, control impulsive behaviour and handle distractions."- Royal Australasian

College of Surgeons

There was strong community support for a review of the graduated driver licensing system to bring the Northern Territory closer in line with other jurisdictions.

Suggestions mainly focussed on increasing licensing age, and the need for learner drivers to get greater experience in as many different driving conditions as possible. The distraction risk for young people driving late at night with many other young people in the car was also raised. Key issues focussed around the impact on and the need for exemptions for employment/education/medical factors.

Any changes would need to be supported by an educational community awareness campaign and Police enforcement.

Other suggested key themes for action around novice drivers and driver licensing focused on reducing the need for them to drive (e.g. improved public transport), school education, strengthening driver training and testing, rewarding good driving behaviours and encouraging the purchase of safer vehicles.

ACTIONS

8.1

8.2

8.3

Develop a revised Graduated Driver Licensing System adopting best practise (where appropriate for the Northern Territory) for consideration by Government.

strengthen driver training and testing to promote :ompetency in all driving conditions, including nteraction with heavy vehicles, motorcyclists, cyclists ind pedestrians.

)evelop targeted strategies and initiatives to create a lositive road safety culture with young Territorians.

YEAR

1-2

1-2

1-5

LEAD

DIPL

DIPL

DIPL

SUPPORT

POLICE

POLICE

MACC

SAFE SYSTEM

0

0

0

-,/'

Motorcycle riders are less protected than car drivers, and are among our most vulnerable road users. Injuries resulting from crashes are invariably more severe than for occupants of cars as motorcycles offer little protection.

Motorcycle riding requires a higher level of control, hazard perception and cognitive skill, compared to driving a car.

Motorcycle registrations in the Territory are steadily increasing and mopeds/scooters are becoming popular due to their low entry price.

While riding a motorcycle can be fun and economical, research shows that the risk of a motorcyclist being killed or seriously injured in a crash is at least 18 times higher than for a car driver.

Motorcyclists represent 10 percent of all fatalities and 13 percent of serious injuries on Territory roads. When involved in a crash, 60 percent of motorcycle riders are responsible for their own injury.

There is an over-representation of male riders aged 15-24 years and 50-64 years, with the crashes generally occurring in our urban areas.

To reduce the risk of injury, experts

recommend the need for rider training and licensing systems that differ from drivers.

Protective clothing is a further investment in rider safety no matter what type of motorbike, scooter/moped you may be riding. All riders are vulnerable to injury in a crash, and the right protective gear could make the difference between a nasty fall or a serious injury that prevents you from ever riding again.

All-terrain vehicles, including quad bikes and off road buggy vehicles, have grown in popularity for use in rural work situations and recreational riding. Quad bikes and off road buggies are not manufactured for road use and do not meet national vehicle safety standards for road vehicles (Australian Design Rules).

Since 2008, there have been 5 fatalities and 58 people have been seriously injured riding these vehicles on roads or public spaces.

These vehicles cannot be registered for on road use in the Northern Territory and their use on roads is an offence under the Northern Territory Traffic Act.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

• Developed curriculum for safe rider training courses by external providers.

• Delivery of the Motorcyclist Education

Training and Licensing (METAL) program (Alice Springs).

• Supporting Rider Awareness Northern

Territory (RANT) in community rider safety

initiatives.

• Developed a Northern Territory Motorcycle Rider handbook.

• Developed Good Gear Guides.

• Partnering in the development of a national computerised car and motorcycle hazard perception test.

• Targeted enforcement campaigns.

v WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

"Lane filtering allows riders to move into a safer position at traffic lights, it allows riders to

be at the front of the traffic and out of harms way as traffic moves away at the lights."

- Towards Zero survey response.

The vulnerability and higher crash risk of motorcycle riders was recognised by most participants.

There was strong support for reviewing the rider licensing system, in particular requiring moped and scooter riders to have a rider licence. Suggestions mainly focussed around increasing the licensing age, mandating rider training, introducing automatic licences, and reviewing power weight ratios.

Other key suggestions included reviewing rider education, strengthening testing, a community education awareness campaign, targeted enforcement and a strong call for rules to be implemented for protective clothing.

Support for motorcycle lane filtering was mixed, with the main issues around perceptions of risk, the need for a community education campaign, enforcement and restrictions around speed.

9.1

ACTIONS

Introduce lane filtering and undertake an awareness campaign.

YEAR LEAD SUPPORT SAFE SYSTEM 1-2 DIPL RANT/POLICE 0

9.2

Develop a standalone Graduated Licensing System for motorcyclists (including mopeds and scooters), which considers mandating rider training, for consideration by Government.

1-2 DIPL

0

9.3

Implement a motorcycle safety community awareness campaign aligned with Police enforcement.

2-3 DIPL

MACC/

POLICE 0

9.4

Develop and implement an awareness campaign for the safe use of All Terrain Vehicles (AW) and off road buggy vehicles.

1-3 DIPL

POLICE 0

9.5 Encourage widespread use of protective

motorcycle clothing.

3-5 DIPL RANT/POLICE 0

The overarching action in Towards Zero including a repeat offender regime and greater police enforcement will also address this priority area.