Road Safety

UN Global Road Safety Week highlights the importance of reducing road traffic deaths, a high priority for the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership.

While road safety is developed through every design and implemented under the construction phase, maintenance is critical to ongoing safety and accessibility.

A total of 140 participants recently took part in road safety workshops in Goroka, Eastern Highlands and Arawa in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. 

The Papua New Guinea Department of Works & Infrastructure delivered the workshops as part of the 2019 UN Global Road Safety Week with support from the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership and the Road Traffic Authority (RTA).

A vehicle crashed head on with a PMV truck, Sunamist that was travelling to Rigo, Central Province.

Reports stated that the truck hit the smaller vehicle while it was trying to avoid a pothole.

According to the driver of the Camry, he was rushing his wife to the hospital when he tried to avoid the larger truck.

Unfortunately, he turned too late, resulting in the truck crashing into them.

Asi said this accident was avoidable, if the drivers of both vehicles had been careful.

25,189 accidents were recorded between 1992 and 2002 in Papua New Guinea.

The National Road Safety Authority CEO, Nelson Terema, revealed this today during the launching of Puma Energy’s one week road safety campaign, held a few kilometres away from Port Moresby.

Terema said the 10-year statistics was for year ending 2002, and expects an increase in the last four years.

He added that motor vehicle injuries total 2,189, from 25,189 accidents recorded.

"Christmas is a time of love and joy, but in countries right around the world it can also be a time when behaviour can get out of hand,” PM O’Neill said.

“The reports that we have received from police districts suggest that people are enjoying the festive season in the true spirit of Christmas.

“I am confident that we will continue to see people around Papua New Guinea celebrate the festive season with respect for their communities.”