This report describes the characteristics of a set of 127 fatal single-vehicle crashes which occurred within 200 km of Melbourne during the period from 1 December 1995 to 30 November 1996. The crashes comprised the cases for the case-control study of fatal single-vehicle crashes. The main identifiable factor contributing to the occurrence of fatal single vehicle crashes in this study was BAC greater than 0.05 (and particularly BAC greater than 0.15) and the main identifiable factors contributing to the degree of severity of the crashes appeared to be impacts with trees and poles and some older vehicles which are unlikely to comply with most of the current safety standards. A number of possible improvements to procedures for the investigation of serious injury crashes are recommended. (A)
Abstract