One of Australia’s great goals of the new millennium is to achieve Vision Zero, a national road system with no fatalities or serious injuries.
Unfortunately, we have some challenges in the foreground. Cars are returning to our roads in high numbers, in some cases higher than pre-pandemic levels. Our freight industry is growing, and many cities are developing initiatives to extend road network access for freight vehicles, including better access to local roads. At the same time, transport policies and strategies aim to increase bike-based commuting, which will see more people riding bikes on our roads.
The high demand for space amongst all road users heightens the risks of on-road crashes. We need to be ready.
Taking action on safer vehicle design
An essential step to mitigating road risks is improving the design of vehicles so that they are safer and can protect the most vulnerable road users.
Before new road vehicles enter the Australian market, they must satisfy national vehicle standards known as ‘Australian Design Rules‘ (ADR). These ADRs set the benchmark for vehicle safety, theft detection and environmental performance.
Bicycle Network actively participates in the ADR Development Program in support of ADRs that will better protect people riding bikes.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides independent consumer information on the safety performance of new vehicles, and there exists an opportunity to improve assessment protocols for vulnerable road user protection.
Both programs ensure that we are working towards safer vehicles on Australian roads. But there are even further steps we can take to ensure Vision Zero.
What should we work towards?
In our Federal Election Policy Paper, we called for candidates to back road safety policies that align with the General Safety Regulation (GSR) of the European Commission. The GSR sets the requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles and their parts. As of 2022, new safety technologies will become mandatory in the European Union for all new vehicles. These include (but are not limited to):
- Advanced emergency braking (AEB)
- Emergency lane keeping
- Driver monitoring
- Driver drowsiness and attention monitoring
- Advanced distraction recognition
- Pedestrian and cyclist enlarged head impact zone
Bicycle Network would like to see the Australian Government take a similar lead to protect our vulnerable road users and mitigate unnecessary injuries and deaths on the road.
Vehicle safety enhancements is one of Bicycle Network's five recommendations in our 2022 Federal Election Policy Paper.
This article was made possible by the support of Bicycle Network's members who enable us to make bike riding better in Australia.
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