A spike in deaths on Australia's roads has led to calls for both sides of politics to address safety issues in the final weeks of the election campaign.
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The number of Australians killed on the nation's roads grew by 19 per cent in the three months to March, reversing a small improvement at the end of last year, new figures from the Australian Automobile Association show.
"Australia's road toll is a national crisis. Government must act decisively to rectify this ongoing tragedy," AAA chief executive Michael Bradley says.
A total of 332 people died on Australian roads in the March quarter, up from 279 deaths in the three months to December.
There were 1176 deaths in the 12 months to March, which was down from 1265 in the previous year.
Ultimately, Mr Bradley says the new figures show Australia is not on track to achieve a target of reducing road toll by at least 30 per cent 2020, compared to 2011, without "urgent intervention".
Reaching the target - part of a national road safety strategy - would require a 15 per cent drop in the road toll by the end of next year.
"It's clear that the strategy is failing, and we need a new approach."
So far in the election campaign, the coalition has announced $12 million worth of funds for road safety measures.
The package includes $8 million to improve the nation's 175 "driver reviver" stations, which give driver's a place to rest and tackle fatigue, and create new ones.
Both sides of politics have also vowed to create a new Office of Road Safety and remove several dangerous road level crossings.
Mr Bradley said while that's welcome, much greater action is needed.
His association is urging leaders to respond to the recommendations of an independent inquiry into the national road safety strategy and have a stronger focus on giving Australians access to safer cars.
Australian Associated Press
