Strategic directions

Directions—what the strategy aims to achieve by 2020

These directions form a broad picture of the major changes expected to take place over the period of the strategy.

Adoption of improved standards for road design, construction and operation to reflect Safe System principles.
All new roads and upgrades of existing roads will be designed, built and operated in accordance with Safe System principles.
A substantial reduction in serious casualties due to run-off-road, head-on and intersection crashes.
All levels of government to:
- have assessed risk on their road network and re-focused road investment programs to treat higher-risk sections of the road network (road segments, traffic routes and defined areas) in addition to more targeted black spot programs
- have adopted and applied the willingness-to-pay methodology to value reductions in fatalities and injuries
- be assessing the benefits and costs of safety treatments using a whole-of-life assessment
- have accepted accountability and responsibility for the road safety performance of their networks in accordance with Safe System principles.

Speed limits that reflect a better balance between safety and mobility objectives.
A substantial improvement in overall compliance with speed limits, particularly on highly trafficked and/or higher-risk sections of the road network.
Network-wide alignment of speed limits with the inherent risk and function of the road and roadside environment.

A regulatory system ensuring that proven safety design features and technologies are mandated in new Australian vehicles as quickly as possible.
A greater penetration of five-star ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) rated vehicles in the general fleet, with ANCAP star ratings available for all new vehicles.
A reduction in the average fleet age in Australia.
Enhanced safety commitment from the commercial sector, including a demand for fleets to be equipped with key safety features such as five-star ANCAP rated vehicles, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), side curtain airbags, alcohol and seatbelt interlocks, and Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA).
A substantial increase in the proportion of heavy vehicles with advanced braking systems and other safety technologies.
Significant improvement in the safety of the light commercial vehicle fleet.

Australia will have a best practice graduated licensing scheme for novice drivers and riders.
Increased use of effective protective equipment by motorcyclists.
Substantially improved access to graduated licensing, and to vehicles with higher safety ratings, for Indigenous people.
A best practice framework for the assessment of older drivers' fitness to drive will be available and all jurisdictions will have effective processes for managing older driver licensing.
Development of suitable technology to combat driver fatigue.
Road safety education resources will be developed and available to the pre-primary sector and all primary and high schools.

Elimination of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs as significant contributors to road trauma.
Elimination of illegal mobile phone use while driving.
A substantial reduction in the rate of driving by those without a licence.
All vehicle occupants are effectively restrained.