More funding is needed to combat road trauma, with an average of 25 deaths and 700 serious injuries occurring in Australia each week, the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) says.

In a pre-budget submission to the Federal Government, the college says the 2011-20 National Road Safety Strategy, aiming to reduce road deaths and trauma by 30%, is failing.

“Road trauma – that is deaths and serious injuries in Australia – is tragically rising after decades of reductions,” the submission says.

“Our performance when compared internationally has fallen from among the top 10 to the bottom of the top 20 countries.”

The cost to the nation is estimated at more than $32 billion a year.

The ACRS wants the Government to “recognise and fund” the National Road Safety Strategy and continue to help it “build knowledge and capacity for road safety professionals”, especially in regional areas, where 66% of trauma occurs.

It wants the Productivity Commission to undertake a full inquiry into the impact of road trauma on productivity, and identify policies to achieve a safer road transport system.

The ACRS calls on the Government to make the publication of target safety star ratings a condition for any Commonwealth investment in the national road network from 2017/18.

The submission asks the Government to secure greater safety results from its current investment in road transport, and to ensure all new vehicles have best-practice safety technology.

The ACRS wants funding for a communications specialist and seven collaborative programs, to the value of $5.2 million over three years.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Carers Australia and the Australian Automobile Association support the submission.