BLACK SPOT PROGRAM

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Road Safety. Can the minister advise what programs the government has in place for providing safer travel for road users?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:39): I would like to thank the honourable member for this important question. South Australian roads are set to become safer following an $8 million investment in the State Black Spot improvement programs in this 2010-11 financial year. The funding from this year's budget will be dedicated to 13 new road projects across metropolitan and regional locations in South Australia.

There is an ever-present challenge to reducing death and serious injury on our roads requiring an ongoing significant investment in road safety where it is needed most. Safer roads and roadsides play a critical role in achieving South Australia's road safety targets. It is possible to mitigate the consequences of road user mistakes and crashes on roads through a variety of cost-effective infrastructure treatments.

The continuation of the State Black Spot program provides significant safety outcomes by reducing the number and severity of road crashes. The State Black Spot program includes the sealing of road shoulders; removing, modifying or shielding motorists from roadside hazards; and improving the layout of intersections in road junctions.

The State Black Spot program also includes the Safer Local Roads Program component with local government contributing $686,000 towards local road projects across the state. Projects for the State Black Spot program are assessed against a range of eligible criteria. Projects have been chosen through a prioritisation process and include projects either because of a poor and unacceptable crash history or alternatively identified by safety investigation audits as having significant crash potential. An additional $1 million is also earmarked for the State Black Spot program which will fund additional projects, subject to state budget approval later this financial year.

In addition, the Australian government also funds a separate annual Black Spot program to similarly target high crash locations on national state and local roads. Funding of $4.7 million is approved for 2010-11. The State Black Spot program is an integral program which continually improves the conditions of our roads. By continuing this program, we strive to provide safer travel for all road users.