Governments must share road data to save lives

The AMA is calling on the federal government to mandate a requirement for state and territory governments to start sharing road safety data.

Providing the data is a crucial step to help stop Australia’s rising road toll.

The AMA wrote to federal Transport Minister Catherine King calling on data sharing obligations to be included in the new National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects (2024–2030). 

In a media statement, AMA President Professor Steve Robson said more than 1200 people died on Australian roads in the last 12 months – a number that is rising by 5 per cent each year.

“Medical practitioners, along with paramedics, ambulance officers and nurses, frequently witness the health consequences of road trauma,” Professor Robson said.  

“Accidents take lives and cause serious injuries. To understand what’s really happening and to develop effective policy we need a data set that gives the big picture.”

Currently, no state or territory government provides road safety data, leading to a major blind spot for road safety policies. A national data set would provide a better understanding of the causes of crashes and help guide investment in more effective road safety and transport infrastructure policy.

The AMA also released the updated Road User Safety position statement this week which acknowledges the increase in road trauma from newer types of vehicles on the road, including electronic cars, e-scooters and bikes.