TAC congratulates Victoria’s first Towards Zero council

26 Apr 2016

The Transport Accident Commission has challenged councils throughout Victoria to follow the lead of Mornington Peninsula Shire after it moved to become the state's first Towards Zero municipality.

The shire last week voted to up the ante in its efforts to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by aligning itself with Victoria's new Towards Zero approach to reducing road trauma.

As a Towards Zero council, the shire must demonstrate its commitment to the Safe System approach by developing a safer overall road system that will prevent crashes or limit the consequences when a crash does occur.

TAC chief executive officer Joe Calafiore congratulated the shire for its support of the state's push towards a future where no person loses their life or is seriously hurt on Victorian roads.

"Towards Zero is not just a campaign or a vision, it defines our approach to saving lives and we're thrilled that Mornington has become Victoria's first council to join the push," Mr Calafiore.

"It doesn't matter if you are in government, business or the everyday road user, we all have a role to play in reducing deaths and injuries so we would love to see more councils and other organisations taking on that responsibility."

Under the Towards Zero approach, road trauma will be prevented by ensuring Victorians are safer drivers, driving safer cars, on safer roads and at safer speeds.

Councils can play their part in Towards Zero in a number of ways, including:

• Introducing traffic-calming measures in local streets
• Speed management in areas with large volumes of cyclists and pedestrians
• Ensuring the vehicles in their fleets carry five-star safety ratings
• Promoting the goals of Towards Zero in their communications to residents
• Applying for TAC LGA Grants to support cyclist and pedestrian safety
• Applying for TAC Community Road Safety Grants to address local safety issues

"Local governments are in a great position to make their local roads safer and we would love to see more councils showing the sort of leadership we're now seeing from Mornington Shire," Mr Calafiore said.