CHAIR – Ms Dow, we will move on. Minister, I’m very concerned, as you are, no doubt, about road fatalities. We see a spike in road fatalities this year. Could you explain what your government is doing in relation to addressing these issues?
Mr VINCENT – Yes, before handing over to Ms Heydon, it’s been a major concern for some time with the road safety. I’ve had ongoing talks with various members of the road safety groups, in trying to understand the break-up of some of the issues we’re facing. There are spikes and anomalies. We’ve had a spike in road deaths this year, but the overall amount of serious casualties remains within a few of previous years.
It is disturbing that a lot of our programs are probably not bringing the results that we would like, so we’re having a new focus. We have been looking through various members of the committees at some of the overseas programs that work in countries that have had an effect on that. In the coming months there will be more discussion. I’ve even met with the Local Government Association of Tasmania CEO, Dion Lester, yesterday to discuss the possibility of fresh eyes being run over some of those programs, or how we could lift the profile in those. I will ask Ms Heydon to expand a little bit more. Thank you.
Ms HEYDON – Certainly. Through you, minister. Just to give you where we are with the road statistics. As of 17 November 2025, There have been 40 fatalities and 242 serious injuries on our roads. This is a slight decrease from the same time last year, but it only a slight decrease. For interest, we actually had a fatality on Monday, which was a motorcyclist. Of the 40 fatalities we’ve had to this year to date, nine of those have been motorcyclists.
While these are definitely not good statistics, as the minister has said, he’s asked us to look at what our program is doing and how that’s linking to improved outcomes both in fatalities and serious injuries. We’re reviewing some of our programs, working with other jurisdictions to understand that we’re all in a very similar situation and looking at what other jurisdictions and countries are doing that are seeing changes to those statistics.
CHAIR – Minister, our office has been approached by various people who provide the driver mentor training programs, of which you are no doubt familiar. Their concern is that RACT is looking at doing some sort of audit on the program. Can you guarantee the committee that that those areas, particularly rural and remote areas, multicultural communities, will continue to be able to access the driver training that they require?
Mr VINCENT – Thank you, Chair. Yes, I have been involved with this through being a board member at Neighbourhood Houses as well as my involvement with the Rotary program for a good many number of years and also being closely associated with RACT. Everybody you talk to wants to take this seriously, and driver mentoring, driver training, once again, are all things that were highlighted – even more so in country areas where the roads are different and the opportunities are different – and we are working our way through it. I will give you a guarantee on the fact that we are looking at all options on what we need to lift the profile of driver education.
I have seen firsthand what a difference the Rotary program has made with the pure heavy increase in numbers of high school students taking that program now, and taking it seriously. We just had my granddaughter get her licence, and it hits home the importance of making sure those programs are in place. So yes, we will be increasing our focus, well, I will be increasing my focus on driver awareness because what you instil into a young person as they train to get their licence is what largely stays with them for the rest of their life.
CHAIR – I suppose, minister, it’s around access for other key groups. It may not be just young people, it’s people in regional areas, it’s the multicultural community, particularly with the driver training program.
Mr VINCENT – Yes, very much so. We have to make sure that all parts of the community understand – or that we understand the difficulties for some of them in obtaining licences – getting their hours up or just general training – and that includes language barriers. I can guarantee that we will be working at all parts of the community.
Ms HEYDON – Through you minister. For clarification, I am part of the steering committee that RACT has, and, just to give assurance it is not looking at, essentially, let’s say, winding‑up those programs. It’s looking at all of the programs that are out there, what’s actually making a difference, and where that could potentially be expanded. It’s to be a learning exercise, and, again, it’s not just about young drivers, it’s actually that sustainable improvement and again, particularly for migrants, anyone who actually needs further assistance to actually become a driver and a safe driver.
CHAIR – Before I go to Mr O’Byrne, I just have one more question. It’s not because I’m in the Chair, but –
Mr JAENSCH – But it helps.
CHAIR – Do we know with any of those breakdowns whether any of the people who have been involved in motor‑vehicle accidents, have been unlicensed?
Ms HEYDON – I’ll have to get that. I’ll take on notice and get back to you in the session.
CHAIR – Thank you. Mr O’Byrne.
