Roads Australia says urgent safety upgrades are needed across the country after a new report found road deaths have increased over the past five years. The organisation warns Australia is no longer on track to meet its target of halving road fatalities by 2030.
The report highlights growing risks in both cities and regional areas. In urban centres, 40 per cent of deaths occur on high‑capacity roads, while one in four fatalities happen on local streets. In regional communities, including the Hunter, most deaths take place on arterial and collector roads. Half of these occur in 80–90 km/h zones, where high speeds and limited barriers increase the severity of crashes.
The data also shows a rise in vulnerable road user deaths. In 2025, there were 23 more deaths on 50 km/h roads — an increase of almost 20 per cent. Pedestrian fatalities rose by 13 per cent, and cyclist deaths jumped 32 per cent.
Roads Australia is urging federal and state governments to provide additional funding and support for councils to implement low‑cost, evidence‑based safety measures such as safer crossings, traffic calming and improved roadside barriers. The organisation says these upgrades are among the most effective tools available for reducing serious injuries and deaths.
