Making Victorian Roads Safer with the SRIP Program

The Victoria Road Safety Strategy arrive alive 2008-2017 addresses the three critical elements of the Safe System approach: safer roads and roadsides, safe vehicles and safer road users. The Safer Road Infrastructure Program (SRIP) targets directly the safer roads and roadsides element and aims to provide a much safer environment for the travelling public. This program will contribute to the ambitious target of 30% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by the end of the strategy and will take Victoria to the next level of leadership in road safety. The SRIP is the most significant road safety infrastructure improvement program this State is undertaking and will continue to be part of the effort in making Victorian roads among the safest in the world.

The SRIP aims to achieve the maximum crash and severity reduction through infrastructure improvements. Since 2004, a total of 903 road and roadside projects valued at $586 million have been funded under Stage 1, 2 and 3 of this program. Funding has also been allocated for studies, development and trials of innovative treatments. High visibility line markings, vehicle activated signs, centreline wire rope safety barriers, safety barriers for isolated trees and poles, signalised roundabouts and many more are part of this innovative component. These trials have been progressively evaluated and the result outcomes are being used to further improve the effectiveness of the program.

The current SRIP Stage 3 is a long term but dynamic road safety program. Long term as it has funding set out for over 10 years, dynamic as its performance is being watched closely and changes to program direction are part of the commitment in its implementation. In a quest to obtain the best outcome from the program, the program focus and targets are constantly challenged by all partners involved in delivering the program.