In Victoria, during the period 1989 to 1992 there was a reduction of 49 percent in fatalities and nearly 40 percent in persons admitted to hospital. These reductions have generally been maintained through to 1995. The fatality rate in Victoria has averaged approximately 23 percent below that in South Australia since 1990, while during the previous 20 years, the South Australian rate was below the Victorian rate about half the time. Hence it is considered feasible for South Australia to further reduce road trauma, possibly by adapting to its own environment some of the measures which were found to be successful in Victoria. An analysis has shown that in addition to a downturn in the economy, the two factors which have contributed most to the reduction in road deaths and injuries in Victoria were increased enforcement supported by major publicity directed at drink-driving and excessive speeding. This study has examined current practice and future plans in South Australia in relation to drink-driving and speed enforcement to identify any aspects where adaptation of the Victorian experience may be appropriate to further reduce road trauma. Ten recommendations have been made, which if implemented are expected to result in further reductions in road trauma, with the benefits considerably greater than the implementation costs. (A)
Abstract