Opposition Spokesperson on Transport, Michael Phillips, is urging the government to allocate a percentage of the annual revenue from traffic fines towards funding the Road Safety Unit and the National Road Safety Council’s (NRSC) public education campaigns.

This recommendation comes in response to the alarming number of road fatalities in the country.

“Madam Speaker, the reduction in road crashes, fatalities, and post-crash care does not happen by itself; it needs to be complemented by forward-thinking policies with proper implementation and funding. We have been playing lip service to road safety. We recommend that a percentage of the annual revenue from traffic fines go towards funding the road safety unit and the NRSC public education campaign; urgent action is needed,” Phillips stated during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday (June 4), in Parliament.

Phillips emphasised that road safety management should include infrastructure improvements and comprehensive data collection and analysis.

“Enhancing roadways is paramount to reducing the impact on vehicles and ensuring safe operations, as driver avoidance of damaged infrastructure may lead to unsafe manoeuvres and/or vehicle damage. This involves not only repairing deteriorating road surfaces but also implementing measures to prevent future damage, such as regular maintenance and the use of durable materials.

Infrastructure improvements should also consider the needs of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Therefore, more dedicated pedestrian walkways, accessible crossings, and accounting for cyclists within the network contribute to safer road environments for all users,” he explained.

Phillips also highlighted the need for system design solutions to address user behaviour, coupled with education campaigns and enforcement.

“Public education and enforcement efforts must be precisely targeted based on thorough data analysis to maximise their effectiveness. By identifying specific user groups most at risk, authorities can tailor initiatives to address unique needs and behaviour,” he added.

Furthermore, Phillips called for a greater focus on expanding and enhancing emergency services to ensure timely and effective response efforts in post-crash care to mitigate fatalities.

“Investment in advanced medical training, state-of-the-art emergency response equipment, and effective communication channels between response teams can significantly enhance the quality of care provided to crash victims,” Phillips concluded.

Some 174 persons have been killed as a result of fatal crashes up to June 4. Last year, the country recorded a cumulative total of 425 road fatalities.