The NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust was formally established in 1992, with the principal objective of enhancing road safety for the benefit of the ACT road-using community.

The Trust has allocated over $20 million to some 340 innovative road safety projects since 1992.

What's new

Study Urges the Community to Challenge the Culture of Speed

A study commissioned by the Trust considers that an attitudinal shift similar to that for smoking and AIDS is required in relation to speed and car use if the current level of road trauma is to be reduced. Funding of $73,500 was provided to the University of New South Wales for the study "Towards a Holistic Framework for Road Safety. For further details see the media statement .

A Half Million Dollar Boost for Road Safety in the ACT

Road safety in the ACT will receive a funding boost of $530,492 from the NRMA - ACT Road Safety Trust's Grant Program announced today by the Trus's Chairman Professor Don Aitkin AO. For further details see the media statement .

Study Reveals Ignorance About Alcohol Consumption and Driving

A study by the University of Southern Queensland into the level of alcohol knowldege by ACT residents has revealed significant levels of ignorance about alcohol consumption and driving. The study, which was funded by the Trust, found that 30% of respondents to a survey did not know the legal blood alcohol limit for fully licensed drivers was 0.05 while over 20% were unaware of how many standard drinks could be consumed in the first hour to stay under the legal limit. For further details see the media statement .

Skills for Preventing Injury in Youth (SPIY) Program

The Trust has released a report undertaken by the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland as the result of a $51,695 grant by the Trust on the SPIY Program. This program aims to reduce adolescent risk taking by changing individuals' attitudes to risk, increasing the intervening and protective behaviour of their peers and developing first aid skills. A copy of the report can be found under Reports .

Teaching children to cross roads safely - a promising new training manual

A novel training program that aims to improve the essential skills and strategies for children when crossing the road has been developed by researchers at the Monash University Accident Research Centre as the result of a grant of $131,000 from the Trust. For further details see the media statement . The report can be downloaded from the reports section of the Trust website and the authors are more than happy to discuss any aspect of the research.

NRMA - ACT Road Safety's 2010-2011 Grant Program

Road safety in the ACT region will receive a boost in the next financial year from projects to be funded by grants from the NRMA - ACT Road Safety's 2010-2011 Grant Program. The Trust is currently advertising in the media for innovative projects aimed at reducing road trauma. In particular, the Trust is seeking proposals and initiatives which are relevant to the Vision Zero/Safe System approach to road safety. Applications close on Monday 29 March 2010 and the application form and guidelines are available on the Trust's website. Further information is contained in the media statement .

The Safe Systems Approach and Speeding.

The Trust partnered with the ACT Chapter of the Australasian College of Road Safety to stage a free one day seminar on the issue of "The Safe Systems Approach and Speeding. The seminar was held at the CSIRO Discovery Centre and Mr Eric Howard international expert on the adoption of the Safe System/Vision Zero approach to road safety was the keynote speaker. His presentation and ones by Mr Rick Freeth and Mr David Quinlan are available under Presentations on the website.

Study confirms the vulnerability of cyclists and motorcyclists

A study involving the matching of hospital trauma data with police crash data for the years 2001-2003 has revealed that cyclists and motorcyclists occupied more bed days in the Canberra Hospital than the combined total of drivers and front passengers. See the Media Statement for more details.

Innovative High School Cycling Program Launched

An innovative cycling safety education program that targets students in Years 7010 is being developed and trialled at Melba Copland Secondary School with a grant of $11,980 from the Trust. The Safe Cycle program was launched by Trustee Julie Thornton on 24 November 2009 at the Melba Copland Secondary School Junior Campus. See the Media Statement for more details.

Motorists reminded of the 50km/h speed limit on suburban streets

A media campaign being undertaken by the ACT Government to remind motorist that the default speed limit on suburban streets is 50km/h is being supported by the Trust. See the Media Statement for more details.

Television Campaign Targets Motorcycle Safety

A television campaign aimed at enhancing the safety of motorcycle riders was shown on WIN television over a four week period as part of the Trust's contribution to Motorcycle Awareness Week, which ran during the last week of October 2009. See the Media Statement for more details.

Financial Boost for Road Safety in the ACT

Road safety in the ACT will recieve a funding boost of $404,397 from the NRMA - ACT Road Safety Trust's 2009/2010 Grant Program. Fourteen grants have been approved for a range of projects some of which are directed at drink driving, fatigue and driver distraction. See the Media Statement for more details.

Studies Confirm Drink Drive Concerns for the ACT

Studies of 1,617 drink drive cases before ACT and Queanbeyan courts during 2006/2007 have confirmed a significant number of motorists drink and then drive at alarming levels of intoxication. The studies conducted by Smithworks Consulting were commissioned by the Trust and confirm the findings of a similar study on ACT convictions in 2003. See the Media Statement for more details.

Observational study on the wearing of motorcycle protective clothing

An observational study on the wearing of motorcycle protective clothing in the ACT has found good results for upper body apparel but worrying results for lower body apparel. Only sixty percent wore boots with the remainder wearing joggers or other types of footwear. Furthermore, only forty percent of riders were wearing leather or motorcycle specific apparel on their legs. See the Media Statement for more details.

Grants for Road Safety in the ACT

Road safety in the ACT region will receive a boost in the next financial year from projects to be funded by grants from the Trust. The Trust will be advertising in the Canberra Times, Chronicle, Weekend Australian and Sydney Morning Herald for well-justified applications for grants that meet the Trust's objectives. See the Media Statement for more details.

Grant assists promotion of Nightrider service

A grant of $15,000 by the Trust to ACTION will assist in the promotion of the popular Nightrider bus service, which commences on Friday 12 December 2008. The service will operate over eight designated routes from the Civic Bus Interchange between the hours of 1.00am and 4.45am over the next two weekends leading up to Christmas as well as operating on New Year's Eve. See the Media Statement for more details.

Driver Distraction

Canberra will host the international launch of the world's first book on driver distraction - Driver Distraction: Theory, Effects and Mitigation. The book is the brainchild of Adjunct Professor Michael Regan from the Monash University Accident Research Centre and currently on secondment to the French National Institute for Transport and Safety Research. The Trust has contributed $20,000 to assist in the development of the book - being launched at the Botanic Gardens on Friday 12 December 2008. See the Media Statement for more details.

The presentations by Associate Professor Mike Regan and Ms Kristie Young can now be downloaded:

Campaign to Make the Kings Highway Safer in the Holidays

A road safety campaign aimed at making the Kings Highway safer during the upcoming December/January holiday period was launched in City Walk on 27 November 2008. The campaign is being funded by the Trust, the RTA and the Department of Territory and Municipal Services. See the Media Statement for more details.