In the past, the link between the collection of data from real-world crashes and the actions leading to road safety improvements has been quite indirect. The VicRoads Enhanced Crash Investigation (ECI) project set a new precedent in Australia by directly using in-depth crash data to better understand crash causation, improve communication between road safety stakeholders and formulate actions to reduce serious road trauma in Victoria. A research team recruited car drivers and motorcycle riders hospitalised from a serious injury crash occurring in Victoria. A research nurse collected comprehensive medical and interview data from them. Investigators conducted a detailed inspection of their vehicle and the crash site within two weeks of crash occurrence. Regular panel meetings were scheduled within each of the seven VicRoads regions. Individual cases from the region were compiled and presented to a panel of key stakeholders (including VicRoads, local government, police, SES, ambulance and community road safety representatives). Moderated by a road safety expert, panellists identified the probable factors contributing to crash occurrence and identified actions to prevent the crash in question as well as more general safety issues. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach using actual case studies from the project. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. 0612AR242E.
Abstract