Prime Minister´s next trip should be on our roads

NRMA Motoring & Services President Alan Evans today invited Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to tour some of NSW´s worst highways with him and learn more about the need for funding.

"Prime Minister Rudd needs to see first-hand why coastal communities want their roads fixed to help prevent further road fatalities," Mr Evans said.

"There have been 27 fatalities on the Pacific and Princes Highways alone this year, including another one last week on the Pacific Highway.

"The last Federal Budget outlined funding for some areas of the highways but less than half of these roads are dual carriageway which is unacceptable for Australia´s most populated region.

"At a time of record surpluses and more than $15 billion in fuel excise, it´s incomprehensible that communities living and working along the Pacific and Princes Highway haven´t received their fair share of funding."

Mr Evans would like Mr Rudd to drive the length of both highways with him and visit notorious black spots such as Sexton Hill, Dignams Creek and Victoria Creek.

"Australian roads are an embarrassment when compared with other developed nations," Mr Evans said.

"The Australian Roads Assessment Program clearly indicates the dire state of our roads. Most of the Princes and Pacific Highways have only a two or three star rating, which is not good enough

"In fact, there is not one road in Australia that has a five star rating while most of Europe´s roads have a four star rating.

"The Prime Minister needs to take a drive along our roads with me."