The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has launched a major advocacy and advertising campaign to highlight the need for stronger investment in roads and to seek a better deal for motorists.
The Demand Better Roads campaign identifies priority road and other transport infrastructure projects – totalling $100 billion over ten years –to ease congestion in urban areas and to improve the safety and quality of national highways.
“Combined, Australia’s motoring clubs represent more than 7 million members. That’s a huge slice of the electorate and it’s a force that is too large for the politicians in Canberra to ignore,” says Ross Herron, AAA president.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that many of our roads are not coping. We need stronger investment and new approaches to funding for roads and other crucial land transport infrastructure to combat growing congestion in our cities and to provide safer roads in the regions.
Andrew McKellar, AAA executive director says: “Road trauma is estimated to cost the community a staggering $27 billion a year. With a targeted approach to funding road safety improvements, we can improve the quality of our roads and drastically cut the human and economic costs of road crashes.”
The AAA has launched the website Demand Better Roads, which lists the top five transport projects in each state that have been identified as the areas for priority funding.
“This is more than a wish list. These projects have been identified because they will have the greatest impact in terms of improving safety or easing congestion,” says McKellar.
“We will need strong leadership and an effective long-term plan. Given the size of this investment, it is going to require a significant contribution from all levels of government and a more effective approach to attract other sources of funding.”
The Demand Better Roads website provides an opportunity for people to join an online petition and to send a message to their local MP, urging them to support the campaign for better and safer roads.
“There will be a continually updated ‘report card’ on transport and infrastructure announcements made by the major political parties throughout the election campaign. This will provide voters with a convenient and objective basis to compare key policy commitments by the political parties,” says McKellar.
The campaign will be supported by a series of television, print, digital, radio and outdoor advertising to highlight the problems drivers face on the roads.
Club members will also be actively involved in the campaign and kept up-to-date on developments and announcements made by political parties through direct communication and club magazines.
“We are encouraging all in the community to get involved and support this campaign. These are real issues which affect everyone’s lifestyle so it is essential that we ensure that the future government is focused on addressing the solutions,” says McKellar.
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