This report examines the literature and data on towing accidents in South Australia. The available literature is sparse. Crashes involving trailers and caravans tend to be more severe than car-alone crashes. Rural crashes appear the most common in prior studies with an over-representation on weekends and public holidays. Night crashes and wet weather are rare. Drivers are more likely to be male, older and more experienced than other crash involved drivers, although not necessarily more experienced at towing. In South Australia, towing crashes comprise about two percent of all crashes. They peak around Christmas and Easter and on Fridays and Saturdays. Sixty percent occur in urban areas, mechanical factors are rare and most are on sealed roads. The larger the towing car or the trailer, the more severe the crash. Of the 4600 crashes studied, small trailers were involved in 74 percent and caravans in only ten percent. Certain crash types were more likely to involve an older experienced driver (for example, failing to give way). Very few learner or probationary drivers were involved and alcohol did not appear to have been a common factor. A range of recommendations are made covering improved crash data, education, enforcement and vehicle design. (A)
Samenvatting