WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell welcomed the review results, saying it justified the significant funding committed by both State and Local Government to improve road safety in the community.

“State and Local Government together invested $26.5 million in this part of the State Black Spot Program between 2000 and 2004,” Cr Mitchell said.

“The review demonstrates the value of this investment, with the significant reduction in crashes at treated sites estimated to save the community $87 million in related costs.”

The State Black Spot Program Review was conducted by Dr. Lynn Meuleners and Ms Delia Hendrie from Curtin University of Technology and was supported by Main Roads WA and WALGA.

The review analysed the effectiveness of works undertaken at 338 sites from across the State, including interviews with stakeholders and a review of comparable programs in other Australian States, Europe, New Zealand and the United States.

It found that crash frequency reduced by 20 per cent across the selected ‘Black Spot’ road improvement sites between 2000 and 2004. Casualty crashes involving death or serious injury were reduced by 36 per cent in the first two years of the review, and by 11% and 29% respectively in 2003-2004. 

Main Roads WA Acting Commissioner John Marmion also welcomed the report, saying, “It is an example of State and Local Government working together in partnership to deliver road safety benefits for the community.”

“Main Roads is committed to building a safer road system and supporting Local Government to do the same.  It is a great result,” Mr Marmion said.

The State Black Spot Program is a jointly funded program of the State Government and Local Government which identifies road locations with a history of crashes, or identified as a safety risk, and provides funding to improve road safety at those locations. The program has been operating in Western Australia since July 2000, and is delivered in partnership by Main Roads WA and Local Government.

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