The aim of this study by the NHMRC Road Accident Research Unit was to estimate the likely effect on pedestrian fatalities of a reduction in vehicle travelling speed. Results were based on detailed investigations of 176 fatal pedestrian collisions in the Adelaide area between 1983 and 1991. Estimates were developed for a range of speed reduction scenarios. The study found that a reduction of 5 km/h in vehicle travelling speeds in the Adelaide area could be expected to result in a reduction of 30% of the incidence of fatal pedestrian collisions. Under this scenario 10% of collisions would have been avoided altogether. Volume I of this report contains detailed findings for each speed reduction scenario along with a description of the method used and supporting references. Volume II contains the details of all 176 cases. (A)
Abstract