Delivering safer roads is not solely a government problem, nor solely a transport problem – everyone’s actions matter.

Road deaths and accidents have significant economic, health and societal impacts. Improved safety on our roads not only results in reduced financial and medical costs, it benefits all of us.

There have been over 190,000 deaths on Australia’s roads since record keeping began in 1925. We have come a long way to reduce road trauma fatalities substantially over the last 4 decades – falling from 3,798 deaths in 1970 to 1,258 deaths in 2023, according to data published by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics. This is despite considerable population growth and a threefold increase in registered motor vehicles during this time. The Australian Government, through our department, plays a key role in delivering a safer road network for all users.

On this page

How you can play your part

There are many ways you can stay safe on Australia’s roads, from our highways to local streets, and improve the safety of our roads. This includes:

  • Be aware of the road rules in your state and territory – handy guides can be found on the Office of Road Safety's website or you can visit the relevant state or territory website.
  • Visit state and territory websites for resources on fatigue, mobile phone distractions and alcohol usage, and other matters.
  • Report dangerous road locations where crashes are occurring or at risk of occurring by nominating them for the Black Spot Program.
  • Be aware of vehicle recalls impacting you, your friends and family – visit Vehicle Recalls and sign up for alerts for your car.
  • Tell us about potential vehicle safety issues or non-compliance with Australia’s Road Vehicle Standards legislation.
  • Encourage friends and family to drive safely, regularly service their vehicle, allow enough time for their trip and organise a lift or public transport when not fit to drive.
  • If you are an experienced driver and have been driving for a long period of time, take a moment to reflect on your driving behaviours and how they may impact others.

National Road Safety Strategy

Australia has a 10-year strategy to improve safety on our roads.

Through the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30, the Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to deliver significant reductions in road trauma deaths and serious injuries by 2050.

The National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 is the first Action Plan for the Strategy. It outlines the actions the Australian, state and territory governments will take to implement the strategy to 2025.

Office of Road Safety

The Australian Government established the Office of Road Safety within our department to support the commitment of all Australian governments to improve road safety.

The Office of Road Safety coordinates national efforts to improve road safety outcomes for all Australians through the National Road Safety Strategy in collaboration with state, territory and local governments, as well as industry and community stakeholders.

It is also the primary policy adviser to Australian Government ministers on matters related to delivering safer roads, vehicles, speeds, and people.

Road safety responsibilities in Australia

The Australian Government works closely with governments at all levels to provide national road safety leadership and co-ordination, reducing the impacts of deaths and crashes on our roads.

In Australia, government responsibilities for road safety vary across jurisdictions.

The Australian Government is responsible for:

  • regulating safety standards for new vehicles, including vehicle recalls
  • providing funding for road safety initiatives and land transport infrastructure across the national highway and local road networks
  • the development of new federal road legislation and rules.

State and territory governments are responsible for:

  • funding, planning, designing and operating the road network
  • managing vehicle registration and driver licensing systems
  • regulating and enforcing road user behaviour.

Local governments have responsibilities for funding, planning, designing and operating the road networks in their local areas.
Find out more about what is happening in your state and territory by visiting:

Road safety research and statistics

The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) within our department provides economic analysis, research and statistics on a range of infrastructure and transport issues, including on road and rail transport, to inform Australian Government policy development and community understanding.

The Road Safety Data Hub includes information about fatalities, hospitalisations, police enforcement and analysis of crash risk, and is helping to inform governments, researchers, industry and the public about road safety. 

Developed by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics and the Office of Road Safety, the Hub also integrates links to a number of other road safety government websites and includes a submission form for public feedback.

Australian road rules

The Australian Road Rules were implemented in 1999 and have been regularly updated since then. Each state and territory adopts the Australian Road Rules in its own legislation.

Australian road rules

Austroads Registration and Licensing Task Force

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development participates in the Austroads Registration and Licensing Task Force, which brings together state and territory vehicle registration and driver licensing authorities.

Austroads Registration and Licensing Task Force