The Government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has allocated A$600m ($456.36m) in additional funding to carry out road safety improvement works across the province.

The additional funding increases the state’s total investment in roads over the next five years to A$1.9bn ($1.45bn) under its Road Safety Plan 2021.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said that this new investment will be used in targeted initiatives focusing on reducing accidents and fatalities on the roads and highways of the province.

“Another A$180m ($136.91m) will be invested to enhance safety and liveability in urban communities by improving road infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.”

Perrottet added: “Any loss of life on our roads is one too many and so this investment is about making our roads safer for everyone in NSW.”

The overall Road Safety Plan 2021 has allocated A$640m ($486.78m) to carry out infrastructure upgrades in the region in order to increase safety and reduce accidents on the road.

The plan has also provided A$250m ($190.15m) to increase enforcement across the province, which includes the deployment of 50 additional highway patrol officers in regional areas, as well as increasing roadside alcohol testing and doubling mobile drug testing.

Another A$180m ($136.91m) will be invested to enhance safety and liveability in urban communities by improving road infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

NSW Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said: “But this historic investment can only go so far in reducing road deaths and serious injuries and we need every driver, rider and pedestrian to do their bit by taking responsibility for their actions on the road.”