Victoria has experienced unprecedented reductions in road fatalities and injuries during the period 1989 to 1992. Econometric modelling has associated about a quarter of the reduction in deaths during 1990, and a higher proportion in 1991, with the increase in unemployment. The bulk of the remainder can reasonalby be attributed to the two major road safety programs, the random breath testing program and the speed camera program, each supported by publicity. The benefits attributed to these two programs are valued at at least 10 times greater than their costs. Significant reductions for relatively small target groups have been reported as a result of the bicycle helmet wearing law (1% of total casualties) and the reduction of the 110 km/h speed limit for certain sections of freeways (0.5% of total casualties). Improvements to the road system, particularly accident blackspot treatments, continue to produce highly effective long term reductions during the life of each treatment, but the additional effect in any one year is relatively small and could not contribute more than 1.5% p.a. to the overall drop. The co-operation between the relevant agencies involved in the various programs made an important contribution to the success of these programs. (A) For the covering entry of this conference see IRRD 849450.
Abstract