Road fatalities in Victoria fell from 776 in 1989 to 378 in 1994. The latter figure corresponds to 1.3 deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles, one of the lowest recorded rates among motorised countries. During the same period there was a similar drop in serious injuries. Despite these large reductions in deaths and injuries on our roads, road trauma is still a major problem. A review of countermeasures which have been shown to be associated with the recent reductions in deaths and serious injuries was undertaken. They included: (a) increased random breath testing, supported by publicity; (b) new speed cameras, supported by publicity; (c) bicycle helmet wearing law; (d) lowering of the 110 km/h freeway speed limit; (e) improvements to the road system; and (f) various other measures. The effect of the downturn in the economy and reduced alcohol sales over the same period was also considered. The contributions of each of the major countermeasures and other factors to the reductions in serious casualty crashes during each of the years 1990 to 1992 were estimated. (A)
Abstract