FOLLOWING Queensland's commitment to provide road trauma data to the Federal Government, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) is now urging all jurisdictions to follow suit.
AMA President Prof Steve Robson praised Federal Transport Minister Catherine King's announcement to mandate data sharing on road accidents in the upcoming five-year road funding agreement.
"Put simply, a nationally consistent data set to provide better understanding of the causes of road crashes would save countless lives," Robson said.
"By having these crucial insights and data, investments can be directed to where they are needed most - contributing to effective road safety and transport infrastructure policy."
Recent statistics reveal a concerning 8.2% rise in road fatalities, with 1,286 lives lost in Australia over the past 12 months up to Mar.
The AMA has long advocated for uniform data sharing, stressing its crucial role in addressing the grim consequences of road trauma faced by health professionals daily.
"It's highly disappointing that state and territory governments have been gatekeeping important data on road accidents," Robson said, emphasising its necessity to achieve the National Road Safety Strategy's goal of zero deaths and serious injuries by 2050.
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