Friday, 31 October 2025
Austroads has developed a practical resource to help transport practitioners understand how effective leadership, coordination and governance can deliver safer roads across Australia and New Zealand. It sets out what successful road safety management looks like in practice and offers tested methods that agencies and their delivery partners can use to develop, implement and continually refine their road safety approaches to achieve long-term results.
This work comes at a crucial time. Road fatalities have been increasing in recent years across many parts of Australasia. “Reversing this trend requires more than isolated programs. It demands robust systems that enable sustained improvement,” said Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Road Safety and Design Program Manager.
The publication is structured around two main parts. The first explains the importance and benefits of strong road safety management, presenting an internationally recognised framework to guide action.
The second outlines ten proven initiatives supported by detailed case studies. Each example demonstrates how targeted improvements in planning, coordination and oversight have led to measurable reductions in road trauma. The case studies show how these initiatives were implemented, who was involved and lessons that can be applied in other jurisdictions.
The project draws on a comprehensive review of research, current institutional arrangements and interviews with current and former leaders in road safety and transport, local government, law enforcement, health and education departments, non-government organisations and the private sector.
The report highlights the essential elements that underpin effective safety management, including clear lines of responsibility, well-defined governance structures and strong organisational leadership.
“Road safety management comprises a combination of functions, systems and processes designed to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries. It is the engine room of sustained improvement in road safety performance,” said Michael. “The quality of systems and processes in place, covering accountability, governance, leadership, implementation and monitoring, determines the results that can be achieved in the short, medium and long term.”
The report provides practical steps to strengthen internal processes, improve coordination between stakeholders and introduce measurable safety performance indicators. It also encourages governments and road and transport agencies to use open reporting and shared learning to drive transparency and continuous progress.
“This work gives road safety managers clear direction to systematically improve road safety management,” said Michael. “It shows that by refining governance, leadership and coordination, and by consistently tracking performance, agencies can build accountability, foster collaboration and ultimately save lives.”
Watch the video, developed from insights gathered through the stakeholder interviews, featuring road safety experts sharing their experiences and perspectives on what’s needed to strengthen road safety management in Australia and New Zealand – and what truly makes a difference. The video was prepared by Austroads for its plenary session at the Australasian Road Safety Conference 2025.