Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] Last year there were 36 deaths on Tasmanian roads, the worst statistic since the terrible year of 2009 when we recorded 63 deaths. For the calendar year to date, Tasmania has seen more than 17 road deaths and more than 130 serious injuries; cold, hard statistics but the flow-on effects on family and friends can last a lifetime. For survivors, the physical, economic and emotional toll can be devastating. As we know, crashes can occur from inattention, speed, driving under the influence and tiredness, and from poor safeguards in place, such as lack of lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts. This is where the government's black spot funding has made driving on our roads safer and has undoubtedly saved countless lives. From major roads in Launceston to remote and rural roads across the northern Tasmanian region, the government has contributed close to $3 million for necessary infrastructure projects across more than 25 locations, including the West Tamar Highway, north of Exeter; Hobart Road and Opossum Road in Kings Meadows; High Street, York Street and Clarence Street in Launceston; Main Road in George Town; and Dalrymple Road in Mount Direction, just to name a few.

Just recently, I was very pleased to announce $365,000 to remodel the intersection in Bridgenorth. It was the site of an extremely tragic accident last year, thought to be the result of a lack of giving way at the intersection, in which two Launceston residents sadly lost their lives. Works are underway to address this issue—which has resulted in three crashes in the past five years—thanks to the black spot funding. The funding has been warmly received by the community, who have long had concerns about the layout of the intersection and visibility. The new remodelling will address the see-through problem, where drivers on the side road approaches don't realise that there's an intersection where they're required to give way. I'm hopeful that this will save lives in this notorious spot. Additional works were also recently completed at another infamous blackspot, north of Lilydale on Golconda Road between Bacala Road and Denison Gorge Road. The project involved road widening, resealing, signage, line marking and guard rails, all improving safety for road users and has been well received by the community.

Our commitment to fixing black spots across the country, with infrastructure investment being over $1.1 billion since its inception in 2013, is seeing demonstrable results. As the member for Forde mentioned in his speech, research from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics has shown that this program reduces death and serious injury from crashes by 30 per cent on average at treated sites. The proof is there, and I am proud of our continued investment in ensuring the safety of drivers in communities across the nation.

But road safety infrastructure improvements are just part of the story, and I want to take the opportunity to discuss driver behaviour, in this case fatigue and the impacts that a car crash can have on survivors. A few years ago, our local newspaper here ran a Christmas road safety campaign, and I read the story of Sam Cawthorn, which has stayed with me ever since. In October 2006, in Tasmania, Sam fell asleep at the wheel and crossed onto the wrong side of the road, crashing head on into a truck. Sam died in the crash but, incredibly, emergency crews managed to resuscitate him. Sam's right arm was amputated and his right leg was permanently damaged, and he lives with the physical pain every day. Sam has said: 'I live with phantom pain. If I close my eyes I can still feel every single one of my fingers. It's like the worst pins and needles you have ever experienced but times that by 10 and that's how my arm feels 24/7.' In the years following the accident, Sam has become a motivational speaker, working to educate and inspire others to change their behaviour on the road, telling all drivers to wake up to their behaviours on the road and save their own lives and those of others. From all levels of government to anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car, we all have a role to play to get everyone in our community home safe.

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