Australian road toll lowest in 70 years

The number of people who died on Australian roads in 2014 was 1155, and according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), that's the lowest road toll this country has seen since 1945.

The recently released BITRE figures represent a reduction in the 2014 national road toll of 3.1 per cent compared to the year prior, while road deaths per 100,000 people has fallen to 4.87 – the lowest figure ever recorded.

Why are fewer people dying on our roads? It depends who you ask.

The authorities say it’s the implementation of tough new laws that are slowing people down and improved road infrastructure, while some in the automotive industry argue that vehicles are now much safer, resulting in fewer fatalities.

Looking at the numbers state by state, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania saw reductions in road fatalities. The rest of Australia's states and territories saw low increases in their respective road tolls.

Queensland saw its annual road toll drop by 17.7 per cent, to 223 deaths, its lowest figure on record. Acting Queensland police minister Andrew Powell attributed the drop to his government’s strict road safety strategy.

"We have the toughest anti-hooning laws in the country and have lowered speed tolerances to ensure dangerous drivers are caught."

Despite the record lows, Powell cautioned that, "Now is not the time to be complacent".

New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, recorded 309 road deaths, which NSW roads minister Duncan Gay proclaimed to be the equal lowest number in the state since 1923.

"When you think our population has grown by more than five million since 1923 and there are now about 4.8 million more vehicles on our roads, it shows how significant this reduction is," he said.

Despite having one of the highest numbers of safety cameras in Australia, the Victorian road toll rose to 248, the first time the state has registered an increase in almost a decade.

Tasmania's road toll was lower by one fatality to total 35, while South Australia recorded 107 road deaths and Western Australia 184 – both increases. The ACT's road fatalities rose by three to 10 in total, while the Northern Territory recorded two more deaths than the year before, with 39.

Speeding and the laws that govern speed limits across Australia continue to be a hot button issue after a Facebook page that encourages drivers to block speed cameras in NSW recently gained national attention.

The 'Block Their Shot' Facebook page has over 40,000 likes and posts photos taken by drivers who block mobile speed cameras operated by contractors.

The trend has taken off in Queensland too, after a man was arrested in North Rockhampton for obstructing police after he refused to move his vehicle.

Queensland's Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating confirmed that police had knowledge of the group that urged motorists to block speed cameras, and said it would punish those who tried to interfere.

"Obstructing the view of a speed camera is stupid, selfish and achieves nothing except allowing a speeding driver get away with putting other lives at risk," he said.

"We take a really dim view of anyone who tries to obstruct us in our mission to keep Queenslanders safe on the roads," he said.

In NSW, Minister Gay had similar words for 'blockers'.

"I hope these idiots grow up so I don't have to put draconian fines in place," Mr Gay he recently told News Ltd.

"If they don't stop this stupidity I will take action."

The Northern Territory (NT) government meanwhile is pushing in the other direction, after its 12-month unrestricted speed limit trial on the Stuart Highway proved to be a success.

Drivers on certain parts of the Stuart Highway are legally allowed to drive as fast as they wish, and NT Department of Transport spokesman Lesley Major told sister site carsales.com.au that "There have been no fatalities in the open speed trial zone in 2014."

The open limit does not apply to heavy vehicles, which are subject to a nationwide limit of 100km/h.

"Over the 10-year period 2004 – 2013, there were 12 fatalities in what is now the open speed trial zone, however none of these were attributed to speed as their key causal factor," he said.

As other states, including NSW, consider raising speed limits, it's understood the NT is leaning towards continuing the trial.

The Department is currently "undertaking a review of the open speed limit section of road following the one-year trial" and will provide the outcomes during the first quarter of 2015.