Local leaders called on to take up Towards Zero challenge

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04 Aug 2016

Local governments from across Melbourne are urged to come together at the next Towards Zero road safety symposium to learn how they can reduce deaths and injuries in their local communities.

The 3rd Annual Towards Zero Safety Leadership Symposium on August 15th will focus on ways for local governments to help reduce road deaths to below 200 by 2020.

TAC’s chief executive officer Joe Calafiore is urging all metropolitan local governments to attend to learn about how they can work towards zero in their communities.

“The TAC recognises that councils are often in the best position to find solutions to local road trauma issues,” Mr Calafiore said.

Victoria’s first Towards Zero council, Mornington Peninsula, will talk about the plans to achieve its vision in partnership with the local community.

Support is available to help Victoria’s councils work towards zero, such as the Local Government Grants program helping to improve local cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

The Towards Zero approach is inspired by countries such as Sweden and its successful “Vision Zero” initiative.

Johan Strandroth from the Swedish Transport Administration will be the Symposium’s keynote speaker, sharing Sweden’s Vision Zero journey.

“Hearing from global and local road safety leaders, will help councils and businesses at the Symposium learn how they can make the move towards zero,” Mr Calafiore said.

“The Towards Zero approach is based on the understanding that as humans, we all make mistakes on the roads. But we are not designed to withstand the forces involved in a crash, as Graham has shown us,” Mr Calafiore said.

“Having a safer overall roads system is the first step Towards Zero. But we know that we all have a role to play if we are to realise our vision.

“The road safety partners - Transport Accident Commission, VicRoads, Victoria Police, Department of Justice and Regulation and Department of Health and Human Services – are working to build a safe system.

“But community understanding of Towards Zero is critical to its success. That’s why the leadership shown by local governments and businesses is so important,” Mr Calafiore said.

Luke Donnellan at symposium

Minister for road and road safety Luke Donnellan at last years Symposium.

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