Road rage on NSW Black Spot cuts

NSW roads minister Duncan Gay said an expected reduction in Federal funding for problem road sites was unacceptable after the state’s road toll rose by 41 deaths in 2015, and by another 34 deaths last year, to 384.

Mr Gay said NSW would see its Black Spot Programme portion cut from $30 million to $19.2 million for 2017-18.

“I will be taking this funding cut up with my federal colleagues as NSW has 30 per cent of the national road toll. We need more money, not less.”  

Mr Gay said said regional NSW stood to suffer most from the funding reduction.

Government data shows country roads were over-represented road deaths last year, with 60 per cent of fatal accidents happening out of metro areas. Of those incidents, 70 per cent were country people. 

Mr Gay said while Federal government had provided an extra $200 million over 2015-16 and 2016-17 for black spot sites on top of the existing $60 million annual funding, it would not continue the higher funding level beyond June.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister and fellow Nats representative, Darren Chester, said he was disappointed Mr Gay was complaining.

“The Australian government is committed to safer drivers in safer cars on safer roads, and is taking a national lead in the road safety debate,” he said.

“It is disappointing Minister Gay is complaining about funding given the Australian government provided the additional two year funding.

“In the 2016 budget, (we) also ensured funding for this important program would continue past 2019-20 providing $60 million per year.”

Mr Gay says 65 per cent of state government’s roads and freight budget is spent in regional NSW.

Each state and territory receives a share of the total Black Spot Programme funding, based on population and crash data.

As of Tuesday, 14 people had died on NSW roads in 2017. 

Projects funded by the Black Spot Programme last year included $525,065 in works on Barradine Road at Coonabarabran, where a wire rope barrier was installed roadside, and the road shoulder sealed, and speed signs installed. 

On the Thunderbolts Way at Nowendoc a three kilometer section of road was upgraded to the tune of $430,000, while $1,280,000 was spent on West End Road near the Castlereagh Highway at Erudgere. 

FATAL crashes have jumped in NSW for the second year running –  with country roads a tragic majority in the statistics. 

The state’s final road toll for 2016 was 384 fatalities from 360 fatal crashes, a rise of 34 deaths on 2015, despite state government spending a record $309 million last year to stop the trend.

Crashes in regional NSW represented 60 per cent of road deaths, and of those country crashes, 70pc involved country people. 

Most alarming was the surge in fatal crashes deaths in the state’s huge western region – with the road toll between January and November last year jumping 25pc to 50 deaths.

Bush mayors say country roads took a hammering from extended rain periods and serious flooding throughout the year, and as many councils struggled to maintain dilapidated networks, the deadly trinity of speed, fatigue, and drugs and alcohol helped push fatalities higher.  

Government stats show the vast region between Orange, Broken Hill and Moree was the only jurisdiction where fatigue outranked drugs and alcohol as a contributing factor to fatal crashes. 

Bogan Shire mayor Ray Donald said the long, straight roads out west often lead to inattention and lulled drivers into a false confidence. 

“The roads out here are a problem for people who are not used to them - and even people who are used to them,” Cr Douglas said. 

“They are straight, sealed, people underestimate how fast they’re going, don’t take enough breaks and lose lose concentration.”

A breakdown of 259 regional NSW road deaths from 240 crashes in 2016 showed speed was the most common factor involved (41pc of crashes).

State roads and freight minister Duncan Gay said government had 65 per cent of its roads and freight budget allocated to regional NSW. 

He said government was improving road safety through a bolstered highway patrol, $24 million over four years to roll out of rumble strips on highways, and $5 million to address curves where people run off roads.