Abstract
It is demonstrated that economic activity as represented by unemployment has a marked effect on the level of road fatalities, after controlling for the amount of fuel sold (a proxy for motor vehicle travel) and some important road safety countermeasure initiatives. The model used also helps to evaluate the effectiveness of major road safety initiatives such as compulsory seat-belt wearing in motor vehicles; a package of drink driving reduction measures; the 1989/90 road safety initiatives; and travel reduction due to the 1974 oil embargo combined with the reduced rural speed limit; and the 1980 oil price rise. The influence of each of these factors on the total road fatalities has been measured by an econometric method.