The Advantages of the National Road Safety Council as an Independent National Body Promoting Road Safety in Australia

Abstract

In Australia, the accountability for, and management of, road safety rests almost entirely with the states and territories. In order to promote road safety more effectively and nationally, the jurisdictions work together in several ways, including the National Road Safety Executive Group, and the creation of National Road Safety Strategies each covering periods of a decade. Critical national advocacy groups already exist, including the Australasian College of Road Safety, ANCAP, and the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). In addition, the states, territories, and Commonwealth Governments agreed to create the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), an independent body working at the national level for road safety, but with funding from all the jurisdictions. This paper identifies advantages of this body in advancing road safety, and considers the best ways for the NRSC to move forward.