Summary

The purpose of this report is to review the potential for applying some recent advances in econometrics, particularly in the analysis of categorical data to road accident research. This report should interest (a) those involved in the analysis of road accident data (b) those involved in road accident research (c) statisticians and econometricians with an interest in the analysis of categorical date.

Summary

Local government clearly acts as a significant contributor to the maintenance of road safety standards, and what is probably just as important, it provides people with a ready channel of communication to voice their concens about road safety. Councillors, despite individual variations, collectively act as a conduit for public concern, and without them there would undoubtedly be high degree of frustration.

Summary

Visits were made to a number of American and European vehicle manufacturers, Research Centres, and Traffic Safety Administration Authorities during April and May 1988 to discuss current trends and developments in occupant safety worldwide. In addition, several Invitations were made to overseas experts to visit the Monash University Accident Research Centre during 1988 and 1989 to hold similar discussions.

Summary

There would be major coverage problems if the telephone system was to be used as the sole basis for the data collection. It was for this reason that this research examined the feasibility of using administrative records (the RTA Driver Licence Register), as a basis for selecting a sample of the target population, who would hopefully volunteer to participate in the survey. The response rates from this approach were disappointing, particularly at stage one of the process, where there was a requirement to return a completed slip by reply-paid mail.

Summary

Thresholds for detection of angular velocity were determined in young and older observers for a target simulating the motion-in-depth of a motor vehicle at night. Thresholds were determined for a range of target sizes and for central and peripheral viewing conditions. We found significant differences in thresholds between these groups with the older subject group performing worse. Angular velocity thresholds increased with target angular size and with peripheral viewing.

Summary

This project was a continuation of a previous study in speed perception that evaluated the role of the type of road and road width, roadside development, travel speed, driving experience and the sex of the driver on estimates of safety and travel speed (Fides, Fletcher & Corrigan, 1987). In the first experiment, the effect of night driving and time of testing on a driver's perception of speed on straight rural roads was assessed using the previous methodology.

Summary

This report describes the road crash fatality risks of Australians in 1984-85. Risk measurements or fatality rates are calculated as the average number of fatalities per distance travelled, time spent travelling and number of trips. They are estimated for five groups of road user (car drivers, car passengers, motorcycle riders and pedestrians) tabulated for sex, age and each of five factors (time of day, day of week, season, State or Territory and holiday/non-holiday period).

Summary

A total population 10 year survey of bicycle/motor-vehicle collisions involving injured children (0-14 years) is reported from Queensland, Australia. Two thousand two hundred and ninety consecutive unselected cases have been analysed. Pedal cyclists comprised 97.9 percent, and 2.1 percent were pillion ("doubling") passengers. Fatalities occurred in 3.7 percent of cases and 44.6 percent were hospitalised.

Summary

This report outlines the findings of a pilot survey conducted by the Transport Research Centre (TRC) at Macquarie University and National Survey Research Pty Ltd (NSR), of long distance truck drivers in Sydney in September 1989. The pilot survey was funded as a seeding grant from the Federal Office of Road Safety and is the forerunner to a wider study of long distance truck drivers throughout Australia in 1990.

Summary

The report addresses the topic of aggression in driving, with a consideration of a number of subject areas: theories of aggression; the definition of aggressive behaviour in driving; measurements of aggression; extreme forms of driver aggression; less extreme forms of driver aggression. The report's conclusions focus on society's role in aggressive behaviour, strategies for coping with aggression, including driver education and screening, and directions for future research.

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