Star Ratings Explained.
Star Ratings form a simple language to discuss how to make roads safer and to enable us to identify unsafe roads before a crash occurs.
Star Ratings involve an inspection of design elements of the road and roadside as well as intersections, which are proven to have an impact on the likelihood of a crash and its severity.
Between 1 and 5 stars are awarded to roads depending on the level of safety which is 'built-in' to the road.
The safest roads (4 and 5 stars) are likely to be straight, have two lanes in each direction separated by a wide median, have good line-marking, wide lanes and sealed shoulders, safe roadsides and few, if any intersections with crossing traffic.
The least safe roads (1 and 2 stars) are likely to have two way traffic with only one lane in each direction, lots of curves and intersections, narrow lanes, unsealed or no shoulders, poor line marking and unprotected hazards such as trees, poles and steep embankments close to the site of the road.
These ratings are shown as a colour-coded map, indicating how many stars a section of road has achieved. Where lanes of traffic are separated by a median or safety barrier (a divided road), Star Ratings are calculated separately for both directions of travel.
How safe are our roads?
Star ratings have been determined for National Highway Network of roads in all States and Territories. Some state highways have also been star rated in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Be guided by the stars.
