A comparison of vehicle accident rates for Australia, USA, Japan and the UK shows that Australia's level of safety is similar to that of the UK. Measures conducted in Australia to improve road safety are described. Legislation has been introduced to seek to reduce the level of injury in a crash by suitable protective devices and to reduce the frequency of the highest risk forms of travel, e.g. drink driving. The reasons why intervention has worked in Australia are discussed. The evolution of road safety strategies and the contribution made by William Haddon Jnr, the inaugural head of the US Federal Government's road safety agency are described. The Haddon matrix approach to road safety is outlined. Factors that need to be considered in strategic planning for road safety are discussed. Barriers to the success of the strategy of behaviour modification are considered.
Samenvatting