The Wodonga Institute of TAFE has been granted $235,760 under Round 5 of the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative for a new project aimed at saving lives and reducing road trauma.
Nationals Senate Leader and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the money would kick-start the TAFE’s Multi-media Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) project to improve road safety outcomes in Victoria and across the heavy vehicle industry.
“Moving towards zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads is a key goal of our Government, with the HVSI one of the many ways we are investing in road safety to help achieve that,” Senator McKenzie said.
“This latest round will see northern Victoria’s award-winning Wodonga Institute of TAFE get much-needed funding to launch their transformative project to educate transport operators about the benefits of voluntary early adoption and limitations of Electronic Stability Control and AEB safety technologies.
“These technologies have been shown to reduce heavy vehicle crashes and deaths on our roads, which is why this project to empower operators to effectively adopt them early on is so important.
“I look forward to seeing the project progress to make a real difference for road safety in Victoria and indeed right across our national Heavy Vehicle sector.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding invested in 26 innovative projects nationwide that would deliver real safety benefits to the heavy vehicle industry and other road users.
“The Australian Government takes road safety seriously, because no family should have to endure the utter devastation road crashes cause,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“That is why it is vital we continue to invest in critical initiatives that improve road safety to save lives and reduce road trauma, including across our heavy vehicle sector.
“The 26 projects across the nation being funded this round target key areas such as developing or testing innovative new technologies, mental health support for drivers, educational campaigns and much-needed training and development.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said this latest round of funding built on the $17.3 million already provided for 62 grants under the HVSI program over the past four years.
“We’ve seen some great projects across the country deliver transformative results thanks to HVSI funding and I am proud to see this game-changing program continue,” Mr Buchholz said.
“Finding innovative ways to make safety front of mind for road users is key to supporting the Safe System principles – a holistic approach to road safety that underpins the National Road Safety Strategy agreed by all governments.
“HVSI projects also highlight how each and every one of us has a vital role to play in promoting road safety, particularly when it comes to our heavy vehicles, with many of the initiatives led by and created for industry groups and communities.”
For more information on the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program and a full list of funded projects, visit https://www.nhvr.gov.au/about-us/heavy-vehicle-safety-initiative.