Managing for results

This strategy sets the direction for key interventions required to reduce road trauma and the management functions necessary to support delivery of the strategy. The focus in all these aspects is on results that define the quality of the safety culture we have in South Australia and our preparedness to create a safer community.

To oversee the initial implementation of a Safe Systems approach in South Australia, a new Ministerial Safe Systems Task Force will be established under the leadership of the Premier and Minister for Road Safety. This will be supported by stronger coordination and accountability mechanisms for relevant heads of departments, and a stronger connection with road safety stakeholders. 

Coordination

The strategy is built on a platform of partnerships and many organisations and individuals will need to work together if we are to achieve its goals. Delivering reduced road trauma will require significant commitment by all levels of Government, stakeholders, private industry and the community. 

The interconnection between various arms of Government will be important.  Local government has an important role to play in road safety, primarily as an owner and manager of 85% of South Australia’s road network, but also as representatives of, and advocates for, road safety in their community. The State Government is responsible for funding, planning, design and operation of the State’s road transport system, managing vehicle registration and driver licensing, road user education and enforcement activity, and overall coordination and management of road safety. The Commonwealth Government plays vital roles in funding infrastructure programs for both local and State road networks, and in regulating safety standards for new vehicles. 

A closer partnership will be built between State and local government with the necessary support and tools provided for local government to develop local road safety plans in conjunction with their communities. Stronger relationships also need to be established with the wide range of private stakeholder interests. Longstanding business interest in reducing losses through improving safety may for example, be the platform for a stronger road safety presence within the community.

Promoting the strategy

The successful implementation of the strategy will require an ongoing and active partnership with the community. Measures identified in the strategy will need to be clearly explained and promoted to the community to encourage public discussion and understanding of the Safe System approach. Better information and tools will be provided to local councils, community road safety groups and other community and service groups which each have major roles to play in identifying and increasing the understanding of road safety issues in their communities.

Providing the resources

In order to succeed, the strategy will require additional investment, reallocation or reprioritisation of resources. This was recognised in the development of the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020. South Australia will continue to play its part in infrastructure funding and will lobby for increased Commonwealth funding for safety programs on national highways and local road networks as a vital contribution to meeting our road safety targets.

Legislation, regulation and standards

Changes in legislation and regulation will be required to improve road safety performance and areas for legislative change will be identified in the associated action plans. Appropriate standards underlie safe road and vehicle design and ongoing development of these standards will continue through the life of the strategy. South Australia will actively participate in the cooperative development of national licensing schemes for novice drivers, motorcyclists and older drivers.

Research and development

If we are to develop a truly safe road transport system we need to understand where the system is failing. State investment in local research and development will continue to be a priority.  It will increasingly focus on understanding the links between road safety and other community objectives such as sustainability, mobility, amenity and liveability.

Knowledge transfer

There is an extensive body of road safety research which needs to be better understood and applied throughout the community. Current processes for ensuring that existing knowledge is effectively transferred within key stakeholders will be strengthened in order to maximise the opportunity for effective initiatives to be implemented.

Monitoring progress

Regular public monitoring and reporting of performance indicators will assist organisations to evaluate which of their programs are working and where modifications or changes in resource levels may be required. A review of the strategy will be undertaken in 2014 to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments. 

Progress towards meeting the targets will be reported on a quarterly basis. 

Key performance indicators differentiated by road and crash type, travel speed, vehicle safety technology, as well as behavioural measures such as drink driving and restraint wearing, will allow us to regularly assess the progress of our actions in these different areas. The delivery of key programs will also be reported.