Australian road toll dips to five-year low

Australia’s road toll dipped to a five-year low in the 12 months to March – before current coronavirus isolation restrictions came into effect.

New figures released on Tuesday show the national road toll fell 2.1 per cent during the month of March. According to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, there was a total of 100 road deaths last month, which was 5.1 per cent lower than the five-year average for March.

“During the 12 months ended March 2020, there were 1,154 road deaths. This is a decrease of 0.6 per cent from the 12-month period ending March 2019,” the Bureau said.

“Presently, the rate of annual deaths per 100,000 population stands at 4.5. This is a 2.1 per cent decrease compared to the rate for the 12-month period ending March 2019.”

The lower March toll is set to continue as social distancing restrictions enforced because of the coronavirus strip up to 90 per cent of traffic from Aussie roads.

‘Stage one’ of COVID-19 restrictions were enforced in Australia on March 22. Then on March 24, following a national cabinet meeting, stricter stage two restrictions were introduced encouraging Australians to stay at home and isolate unless it is “absolutely necessary” to go out.

Current coronavirus restrictions have been supported with border closures around the country, police check points and harsh penalties for those not adhering to guidelines.

The enforcements essentially rule out Australians from going for a leisurely drive, but allow them to ride a bicycle or run because it is deemed as exercise. The ruling itself has caused plenty of debate.

The restrictions held a silver lining in all states over the long weekend, with a significant decline in the number of road deaths recorded during the traditional Easter break.

In total, six Australians lost their lives on the nation’s roads last weekend – down from 19 in the same period in 2019 and less than half the national five-year average of 15.

In New South Wales, three road-related fatalities were recorded over Easter, while South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria recorded one death.