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Alcohol and drink driving

In Australia, drink driving is the main behavioural factor in 30% of total road deaths (Australian Transport Council 2011, p25).

Distraction and inattention

Drivers need to stay alert for the entire time they are behind the wheel.

Drugs and driving

Research suggests that those who use drugs and drive have a similar crash risk to drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.1 and 0.15 (CARRS-Q 2008, p1).

Fatigue

Fatigue is often referred to as the hidden killer because many drivers are unaware they are experiencing its effects until it is too late.

Fitness to drive

Driving a motor vehicle is a complex task involving such attributes as perception, judgement and reasonable physical capability.

Legislation, enforcement and penalties

Overseas research suggests that there is a clear connection between countries with good enforcement levels and good road safety performance (Janitzek and Townsend 2006, p6).

Motorcycles and mopeds

Motorcycle road safety research information.

Post-licence driver training and education

RACQ has long held the view that carefully designed training courses, one-on-one driver assessments and group workshops can help drivers identify their strengths and weaknesses are beneficial to drivers and can improve their driving behaviour, road rule knowledge and overall safety on the road.

Road rage, aggressive driving and sharing the road

There is widespread public concern about the increasing incidence and severity of aggressive driver behaviours.

Seatbelts and restraints

Research suggests that using a seatbelt can reduce a vehicle occupant’s risk of death by at least 40 per cent (Australian Transport Council 2008, p42).

Speed limits

International research suggests that motor vehicle speed is at the core of road safety, with higher speeds increasing the risk of crashes occurring as well as the severity of the consequences from the crashes that do occur (European Transport Safety Council September 2005, p1 and SWOV January 2007, p1).

Speeding

Travelling at inappropriate speeds increases the likelihood of a crash occurring, while physics dictates that the faster the speed, the higher the likely severity of injury caused in a crash.

Walking and cycling

The human body is unlikely to survive an uncushioned impact with a vehicle travelling at more than 30km/h (Vicroads 2008, p12).

Young and novice drivers

The over-representation of young drivers in road crash fatality and injury statistics is an international issue with high social and economic costs (OECD 2006, p6).

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