September marked Rural Road Safety Month, an initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, which highlights the risks on rural roads and encourages everyone to step up and take responsibility for their actions on the road.
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association highlighted the need for immediate action on rural roads.
“While Australia grapples with a rising national road toll, recent data offers a measured sign of progress within the heavy vehicle sector,” ALRTA executive director Anthony Boyle said.
“In the 12 months ending March 2025, 157 people tragically lost their lives in crashes involving heavy trucks. This represents a 17.4 per cent reduction from the previous year – a meaningful shift that reflects the ongoing efforts of operators, regulators and safety programs across the country.
“Over the 12-month period to March 2025, there has been a 10.6 per cent decrease in fatalities in articulated trucks and an 18 per cent decrease in fatalities in heavy rigid trucks.”
Mr Boyle said the road toll remained a national tragedy.
“While any loss of life is unacceptable, this downward trend highlights the value of targeted safety initiatives such as fatigue management, improved vehicle standards, rigorous maintenance and accreditation systems like NHVAS and TruckSafe,” he said.
“These outcomes reinforce the heavy vehicle sector’s role in lifting national road safety performance — even as the wider statistics demand urgent reform.”
Mr Boyle said this progress in heavy vehicle safety stood in stark contrast to Australia’s broader road safety crisis — where 1353 people died on Australian roads in the 12 months to August 31, 2025, a 4.3 per cent increase on the previous year, and the deadliest 12-month period since 2010.
How do we fix this?
“Investing in fit-for-purpose regional freight routes delivers a triple benefit: fewer fatalities, greater efficiency and lower emissions,” Mr Boyle said.
“Upgrades such as sealed shoulders, overtaking lanes and bridge strengthening not only improve safety but also unlock access for higher productivity vehicles like B-doubles, PBS units and HPVs. This means fewer trips, reduced fatigue, lower emissions and better outcomes for drivers, animals and freight reliability.
“Smarter road investment supports both safety and sustainability, helping the heavy vehicle industry contribute to Australia’s emissions reduction goals while ensuring supply chain resilience.”
Transport for NSW acting south partnerships and integration executive director Brendon James said rural road safety remained a critical priority for the organisation.
“Country roads present unique challenges for drivers, and we’re committed to working with rural communities to reduce the impact of road trauma,” Mr James said.
“As of September 21, road crashes have claimed the lives of 265 people in NSW so far this year, including 191 on country roads.”
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command acting inspector Simon Mitchell urged all motorists to avoid dangerous driving and excessive speed on rural roads.
“About two thirds of our road fatalities occur on regional roads and that is unacceptable,” he said.
“Police enforce road rules and discourage irresponsible behaviour; however, it is up to everyone to drive to the conditions, follow the rules and take care on the roads.
“Speed limits and other road rules will only save lives if we follow them. Let’s make sure that we all watch our own and each other’s behaviour so we can get to our destinations safely.”
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