Engineering work to be supported by special education program for the Wheatbelt community
The Western Australia Government has approved implementation of a range of road safety improvements made in the Wheatbelt Highway Safety Review report, with $3.8 million immediately allocated to begin work on Toodyay Road.
The inaugural report, which was presented in the state parliament on Tuesday, recommends a number of road safety treatments including shoulder widening, audible line edging, upgraded intersections, realignment and improved signage.
Engineering work will be “complemented by targeted community education and engagement which will be tailor-made for the Wheatbelt community”, WA road safety minister Liza Harvey says.
“The report recommended we continue to educate on issues including safe overtaking, speed, drink and drug driving, seat belts, driving to conditions, courtesy and fatigue,” Harvey says.
The report also recommends establishing a Great Eastern Highway road safety industry alliance to help design and implement local road safety initiatives.
“Similar alliances operate across regional Western Australia and it really builds on the philosophy of this report – local people and professionals getting together to come up with local road safety solutions.
“The report also recommended building on important existing road safety resources such as RoadWise and the School Drug Education and Road Aware programs to promote road safety in Wheatbelt schools, sporting clubs and other community organisations.”
The Road Safety Commission launched the Wheatbelt Highway Safety Review following 26 fatal accidents in 2014 in the region.
The Commission conducted a series of meetings and forums with community members and stakeholder groups, and also launched an online mapping tool in order to gather a comprehensive view of the matter.
The review also involved a range of experts travelling notorious sections of Wheatbelt highway, and a five-year analysis (from 2009 to 2013) on fatal and serious injury crashes in the region.