New housing developments should incorporate active and public transport infrastructure to help reduce road trauma, according to the Australasian College of Road Safety.
The college is calling for the change as part of its federal election policy platform, released last week.
“Urban design directly influences how people move through their communities and has a profound impact on road safety,” college CEO Dr Ingrid Johnston said.
“Research consistently shows that well-planned active travel infrastructure leads to lower road trauma rates by reducing conflicts between motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“This is a critical opportunity to integrate road safety into the fabric of new housing developments.
“A growing body of research supports the benefits of active travel and public transport infrastructure with the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 identifying the need for safer urban design, including lower speed limits and separated active transport infrastructure, to protect vulnerable road users.”
The college is the peak body for people working to improve road safety, which includes planners, engineers, researchers, community groups, policy and health professionals.
As well as the call to improve active transport infrastructure in new developments, the college is asking for:
- an agency to investigate road crashes
- ensure all new roads are designed for and managed to at least 3 safety stars for all road users
- publish state and territory road infrastructure safety star ratings
- develop a regulatory impact statement on reducing the urban default speed limit and associated traffic calming treatments
- align vehicle safety standards with Europe
- create a well-supported Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety
- assist neighbouring countries to improve road safety that accelerates economic development.
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