More than 1,270 lives were lost on Australian roads in 2023, up seven per cent in a year and the second-highest annual toll since 2011.

Ahead of an international road safety forum in Sydney this week, four leading advocates for safer transport talk about what they’d change. Here’s what they said:

Financial rewards for safe driving

“The challenge is that we’re now trying to tweak a 20th-century transport system to ensure that it keeps delivering,” Stevenson said.

After years of incremental safety improvements, Australia’s road toll has begun to rise again. Source: AAP / Supplied/PR Image

His research suggests smartphone apps that deliver personalised driver feedback are insufficient on their own to change behaviours.

A large trial involving thousands of Australian drivers later this year aims to shed light on whether those incentives will curb road crash rates.

“We know that that’s a relatively low cost, you wouldn’t hand out $120 to drivers all the time but … there’s a sustainability part there.”

Real-time data of crash scenes

“Only on Wednesday did we find out what the road toll nationally was for January,” he said.

Peter Khoury says the federal government should compel states to share data in real-time. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Speed and alcohol are often noted in road crashes but other potential factors are never noted or not shared publicly.

“Because right now, we’re running blind.

Painted bike lanes can reduce road trauma

Bicycle Network, which represents 50,000 members, wants a larger part of the federal transport budget dedicated to active transport to boost walking and bike riding.

Cycling advocates say drivers become more alert when bikes are on a street, with fewer crashes. Source: AAP / Tracey Nearmy

“Drivers are safer, pedestrians are safer and people on bikes are safer.”

In 2023, the Bicycle Network estimated the cost of cycling deaths and injuries to the Victorian economy at roughly $240 million a year.

Proper speed camera enforcement

“It’s completely lacking any evidence base,” ACRS chief executive Ingrid Johnston said of NSW’s approach.

“Everyone slows down, goes past the camera and then speeds up again,” road safety body ACRS said. Source: AAP / Alan Porritt

“It’s so super clear that putting up a warning sign just means everyone slows down, goes past the camera and then speeds up again.”

More than seven million registered vehicles take to NSW roads each year but point-to-point cameras only monitor the state’s 210,000 heavy vehicles and those that come from interstate.

“It’s like a minimum.”