Australia’s road safety continues to improve

Official data from Australia shows a drop in road fatalities from 2004-2013. The report comes from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics and reveals a 25% drop in all types of road fatalities in Australia. However, taking the growth in population into account shows an even greater gain in safety. Some key issues were highlighted by the Road Deaths Australia Summary report, which showed that drivers aged 65 and over accounted for 23% of road fatalities. Motorcycle riders also account
June 12, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Official data from Australia shows a drop in road fatalities from 2004-2013. The report comes from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics and reveals a 25% drop in all types of road fatalities in Australia. However, taking the growth in population into account shows an even greater gain in safety. Some key issues were highlighted by the Road Deaths Australia Summary report, which showed that drivers aged 65 and over accounted for 23% of road fatalities. Motorcycle riders also accounted for a high proportion of fatal crashes at close to 20% of all road deaths. A notable improvement in road safety has been recorded amongst drivers aged 17-25, with fatalities levels dropping 50%, and the biggest reductions recorded in ACT, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria. One topic of concern raised by the report further is that males account for close to 75% of all fatalities, while single vehicle accidents represent 47% of all crashes.

Related Content

  • Improving road safety a priority beyond politics
    February 23, 2012
    Figures have long since become an important part of our daily lives. Data on all the humdrum events around us is regularly used to shape political policy that is in most instances, designed to improve our well-being.
    Read More
  • Analysing intelligent speed adaptation benefits
    April 12, 2012
    Oliver Carsten, Professor of Transport Safety at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds, UK, discusses Intelligent Speed Adaptation, looking at its safety potential
    Read More
  • Improving barrier safety for motorcyclists
    February 23, 2012
    Mike Woof reports on delays to better barrier safety for Europe’s powered two wheeler riders. Safety for vulnerable road users continues to be a matter of some debate in Europe. Although powered two wheelers account for a comparatively small number of Europe’s vehicles as well as total distance travelled, they account for a disproportionately large number of accidents. Statistical data shows that by far the greatest risk to users of powered two wheelers as well as other vulnerable road users comes from driv
    Read More
  • Improving safety for cyclists
    November 15, 2013
    New systems in development for protecting vulnerable road users - Mike Woof writes In many European countries the number of people using bicycles for commuting are increasing. This is being actively encouraged by city authorities as it offers an effective way to reduce traffic congestion, lower exhaust emissions and also improve public health. The Netherlands and Denmark have long had high percentages of commuters opting to use bicycles and other European countries are looking to capitalise on the experienc
    Read More

Highlighted Content