The Federal Government has committed $5.9 million in 2023-2024 towards increasing safety in South Australian roads, aiming to reduce the amount of dangerous crashes.
The funding falls under the Black Spot Program, which aims to update safety measures at 17 top priority crash sites throughout the state, with measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts in areas where countless accidents have occurred or are at risk of occurring.
One of the many locations which will have increased safety measures includes the intersection of Dalkeith Road and Stebonheath Road in Kudla. Almost $2 million of funding will be set aside to install a roundabout at the intersection, helping to keep a steady flow of traffic moving safely.
The 17 Black Spot projects will make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on SA roads, and build on previous investments across the state.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, outlined how the Federal Government is slowly working towards building safer roads and a zero deaths vision.
“This major investment is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to building safer roads, as we work towards Vision Zero: no deaths on Australian roads by 2050.
“We have committed $110 million per year to the Black Spot Program to work with state, territory and local governments to improve road safety across the nation.
“These 17 new projects in SA are another example of our commitment to keeping Australians safe on our roads, reducing the devastating impacts of road trauma while supporting local jobs and communities,” Ms Brown said.
A consultative panel, the Black Spot Consultative Panel was also established for the program, providing opportunity for stakeholders to have a say in the project selection process, and ensuring that nominations of the highest priority and importance to the local community are recommended for approval.
Federal Member for Makin, an electoral division for the House of Representatives located in Adelaide, and Chair of the South Australia Black Spot Consultative Panel, Tony Zappia, highlighted how Black Spot programs can help critically reduce the amount of crashes resulting in death and injury, making the roads safer.
“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 Zappia said.
“This investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads throughout the state.
“This Government is investing in road safety right across the state and the nation to ensure Australians get home safely every trip.”
