Page 4374 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2019
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The ACT government is committed to a safe systems approach which takes a holistic approach to road safety improvement, focusing on safe speeds, safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, as well as safe people and safe behaviours. An essential element of the safe systems approach is the design of roads to reduce the risk of crashes and to reduce the harm to people if a crash happens.
The Transport and City Services Directorate commissioned a safe systems infrastructure assessment and road safety audit at the intersection where this tragic accident occurred. The report found that the existing speed limits on the major intersections along the ACT section of the Monaro Highway are acceptable. The report made a number of findings in relation to improvements to the physical road infrastructure at that location, and these are being actioned through the territory’s road maintenance program and future capital works program.
As more Canberrans choose to walk and cycle across our city, we need to ensure that our road transport system provides safe and accessible infrastructure to support active transport. The Minister for Transport and I are committed to improving our infrastructure for the safety of all road users.
Coroner Boss recommended changes to road rules relating to the types of lights required for cyclists. Cyclists in the ACT currently have a choice about whether they fit steady or flashing rear lights on their bicycles when riding at night or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility. They also have the choice about whether they fit separate rear reflectors and rear lights or whether they have them integrated into one unit. The ACT government encourages cyclists to use their judgement regarding additional circumstances when using lights would provide them with greater visibility of the road environment and provide greater visibility of them to other road users.
The current framework covers most situations, providing cyclists with the option of choosing the safest lighting option for the road environment they are travelling on, including the times when the light is to be used and the lighting configuration with which they are most comfortable. As such, the government’s response to the coroner’s report proposes no change to the rules regarding lighting, which also keeps them in line with other jurisdictions in Australia.
Any death on our roads is tragic. Under the vision zero approach we take to road safety it is also preventable. Vision zero aims for zero death or serious injuries on our roads. It also acknowledges that people make mistakes and demands that the road traffic environment is designed in a way that accommodates these mistakes and protects people. We will continue to strive for vision zero and to learn from the tragic circumstances of Mr Hall’s death. I reiterate my sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Hall.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Property crime prevention strategy—progress report
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and
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