Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (13:14): As Chair: I take note of the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety report entitled Interventions to reduce road trauma in regional NSW caused by speeding, fatigue, drink and drug driving. At the outset, I thank everyone who made important contributions to the inquiry. I note the member for Davidson is in the Chamber and thank him and our other colleagues for their contributions. Regional New South Wales carries a disproportionate share of road crashes and fatalities. According to Transport for NSW data, 2025 saw 241 crashes on regional roads, an increase of 22 from 2024. The committee resolved to hold this inquiry in response to this significant issue.
The committee decided to focus on the impacts of speeding, fatigue, and drink and drug driving, as those are some of the biggest risk factors for road crashes. Across inquiry submissions and three public hearings, the committee engaged with a range of stakeholders, including road safety experts and educators, regional local governments and New South Wales government agencies. We also heard from the families of people who tragically lost their lives in road crashes. Those families gave moving evidence of the human cost of road trauma. Throughout the inquiry we heard concerns about the condition of roads and infrastructure in regional New South Wales, particularly in remote areas.
We recommended that Transport for NSW upgrade road infrastructure in priority regional locations, based on detailed crash data. I acknowledge the Government's forensic focus on and record investment in some of those key areas since coming to government in 2023. Suggested upgrades included widening road shoulders, sealing roads and upgrading rest areas. Due to the higher average driving speed on regional and rural roads, drivers on those roads face a higher risk of crashes. While we heard a range of views about whether speed limits should be raised or lowered, we heard a consistent call for greater enforcement of speed limits.
As someone born and raised in regional New South Wales, I draw the attention of members to the importance of personal accountability and responsibility while using roads. It is a great burden, but those who live in the country—which I no longer do—know it takes a lot more discipline and focus to drive on rural and regional roads. Speeding is one of the greatest contributing factors to the tragedies we see on our country roads. Transport for NSW informed the committee about a trial of applying average safety cameras to light vehicles. Subject to an evaluation of this trial, the committee recommended that this be rolled out statewide as a fair method of speed enforcement.
Drink and drug driving is another major contributing factor to road trauma in regional New South Wales. To curb drink and drug driving, the committee recommended high-visibility enforcement, including roadside breath testing and mobile drug testing. I acknowledge that the Government has rolled out expanded measures in this regard. The committee also recommended additional measures to reduce drink and drug driving, including investment in alcohol and other drug programs and alternative transport options, measures that are also now underway.
We heard that improvements are needed in road safety education and grant programs in regional New South Wales. Stakeholders raised the need for road safety messaging to be tailored to driving on regional roads. Regional councils told us that road safety grant programs offered by Transport for NSW were challenging and at times not as accessible as they would like, with requirements of funding to match and infrequent reporting being barriers to uptake. I note that much of this was a Federal Government consideration as part of its programs as well. We therefore recommended that Transport for NSW continue its review for the design of road safety education and grant programs throughout our regions.
The fundamental role of the Staysafe committee is to keep the people of New South Wales safe on our roads. It is my sincere hope that the recommendations in this report will help to improve the safety of regional and rural roads for all road users. Finally, I thank everybody who contributed to this inquiry, particularly those who participated to share their experiences and views with us. I thank the committee secretariat and staff. I also thank my fellow committee colleagues who made important contributions, particularly members from rural and regional New South Wales, such as the member for Barwon, as well as members in the other place. It is sincerely appreciated as we progress forward in trying to address the ongoing serious road safety issues around rural and regional New South Wales.
