Funding is now available to support a safer road system and drive down road trauma in the New England with applications open under Round 2 of the nationwide $12 million Road Safety Innovation Fund. 

Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, is calling on organisations in the region with an interest in road safety research and technology development to apply for funding.

“The Road Safety Innovation Fund targets innovative projects designed to further reduce deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads,” Mr Joyce said. 

“Recent funding under this program investigated the effectiveness of alternative training methods to achieve the proper fitment of child car restraints throughout rural and remote areas.

“We have a vast road network in the New England so this is the perfect opportunity for local organisations with big ideas that can make a difference on road safety to draw on Australian Government support to help create a safe and sustainable road transport system.”

The Road Safety Innovation Fund is part of a suite of Australian Government programs driving improvements to road safety across the nation.

Those programs include $4 million for the Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund, $2 billion Road Safety Program, $8 million Driver Reviver Site Upgrades Program and $5.5 million for a Road Safety Data Hub.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Road Safety Innovation Fund program will provide grants to fund innovative research and technology development, supporting the Australian Government’s road safety agenda. 
                                
“Improving safety on our roads is critically important – even one death or serious injury on our roads is one too many, and last year 1,106 Australians lost their life to road crashes,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.  

“The Government is serious about driving down death and serious injury on our roads and we are committed to achieving Vision Zero – zero deaths and serious injuries by 2050. 

“To get there, we need to look at road safety over the next decade in a new way.” 

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the grants would make a difference to the lives of all Australians. 

“With $10 million available over the next three years, potential projects can include new technologies and delivery techniques, road safety management initiatives or research to policy development and improve road safety outcomes,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said. 

“Eligible areas could include regional and remote road safety, vehicle safety, vulnerable road users and risky road use.

“Thirteen projects totalling $2 million were funded under Round 1 of the program, ranging from crash prediction models, improving night visibility of signs and boosting heavy vehicle safety by trialling automated inspection capabilities.”
  
This fund complements other road safety initiatives, including the $4 million Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund, which is helping to deliver targeted educational campaigns to reduce risky behaviour and increase road safety awareness, installing life-saving speed signage and collaborating with the community on decreasing road trauma.

Application close on 29 March 2021. For further information, including application guidelines, visit www.grants.gov.au  

For more information on the Government’s road safety initiatives visit www.officeofroadsafety.gov.au

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