Road Safety
Since 2000 Blacktown’s crash statistics have remained stable despite a significant increase in traffic volume, population and industry. This success is due to the combined efforts of the RTA, Police and neighbouring Councils, and Blacktown City Council’s Road Safety Strategic Plans for 1996 - 2000 and the second plan covering 2001-2005. These plans provided the necessary focus to contribute to tangible road safety gains through education programs targeting specific road user groups and reinforcing Council’s commitment to the Australian and NSW standards for road design, construction and maintenance.
The challenge for Blacktown City Council is to continue to minimise vehicle crashes as population and industry growth create significant increases in traffic movements and pedestrian activity. Council is committed to improving access around the city through its’ Management Plan for 2004-2007. This Road Safety Strategic Plan complements the programs currently funded in the Management Plan and extends the long-term view for the intended outcomes.
Several long-term strategies have been investigated to enable Council to work towards resolving the high priority issues.
Experience of Government agencies demonstrates that to change the behaviour of communities a broad and integrated approach is required. This integrated approach needs to include:
- Lobbying of State and Federal Government agencies regarding policies.
- Engineering changes to accommodate mistakes by road users.
- Education programs to inform the community on desired road user behaviours.
- Enforcement campaigns to reinforce compliance with the desired road user behaviours.
The Blacktown community relies on road transport for everyday activities and the NSW economy depends on the local transport industry. Road safety strategies will be integrated into the management plans that involve wider community and economic development goals.
However, as road trauma inflicts a serious cost on individuals, the community and the economy, we must ensure that effective strategies aimed at reducing the risk of road crashes are implemented.
