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Council concerned with road toll

Wellington Shire Council has expressed concern at the increase in road fatalities which occurred during 2005.

By Wellington Shire Council - 12th January 2006 - Back to News

"The yearly total of 14 deaths is more than twice our annual average," said Cr Malcolm Hole, Wellington Shire Mayor.

"We are concerned and disappointed that fatalities have gone up despite the active efforts of Council and other authorities to improve road safety in the shire."

"We have asked relevant authorities for detailed statistics on all major accidents, not just fatalities, to help us try and identify whether there are new issues we have to take into account," said Cr Hole.

"Once we have the information we will ask local road safety committees to advise on whether any new initiatives are required.

"Early indications are that driver behaviour, and not road conditions, has been a major problem," said Cr Hole.

Wellington Shire Council has an active education and works program to help reduce the potential for accidents.

"We have in place an ongoing road safety strategy and are implementing this in conjunction with other authorities.

"We participate in frequent school and community education programs.

"Our significant road improvement works are designed to help make local roads as safe as possible. This includes regular maintenance as well as new road and bridge construction," said Cr Hole.

Council has been increasing its commitment to local road construction and maintenance each year. Last financial year Council spent some $8.4m on road construction and maintenance and this is expected to rise to $9.7 in the current year.

"We have been in touch with local police who are equally concerned with the road statistics.

"They have advised that improving road safety will be a major focus for the coming year, with an increase in resources in the area that is likely to mean extra police on the roads as well as increased participation in local road safety committees," said Cr Hole.

"It is likely that we will need a combination of new initiatives such as more wayside stops for drivers, better education of key groups such as older and younger drivers and urban drivers on long trips, plus more policing, if we are to reduce our accident rate."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com



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