NSW Farmers Call for Road Funding to Tackle Rising Toll

NSW Farmers has told a state inquiry that better roads are the key to reducing the rising road toll in regional areas - not slower tucks.

The organisation says farm workers are four times more likely to die on the nation’s roads than other drivers, with local councils facing a $3.4 billion backlog in road repairs.

Business, Economics and Trade Committee Chair John Lowe said urgent investment in regional road infrastructure is long overdue.

“Drivers have been forced to navigate dangerous potholes, uneven surfaces and other serious hazards for far too long,” Mr Lowe said. “Serious and sustainable funding to fix our local roads, truck rest stops, overtaking lanes and bridges is money well spent, because it could save lives.”

Mr Lowe said improving rail networks, boosting mobile coverage and enhancing driver education are also crucial to reducing pressure on the state’s roads.

“Trucks are only adding to the wear and tear on our roads, and rail lines, in the right place and in the right condition, will really take the heat off,” he said.

“We’ve got a long road ahead to improve safety — but only by addressing the root causes can we keep our regional communities safe.”