| Background
Road users in regional/remote areas face an unacceptably greater risk of death and serious injury than those in major cities. This study investigates the causes of road crashes in regional/remote areas within Australia and identifies the most effective evidence-based approaches to prevent such road trauma.
Method
This research incorporated a review of the recent literature, an analysis of trends in crash data, a review of regional/remote road safety actions by Australian jurisdictions since 2011 and wide consultation with stakeholders.
Results
Key road safety issues in regional/remote areas were identified:
• High incidence of single-vehicle and head-on crashes
• High levels of alcohol and illicit drug use, unlicensed driving, non-use of seatbelts and driver fatigue
• Increased risk of crash and injury at higher speeds and disparity between speed limits, the road quality and existing infrastructure
• Increasing incidence of motorcycle crashes
• Higher burden of road trauma among Aboriginal people
• High incidence of older vehicles
• Delays in post-crash emergency response
Conclusions
Consistent with the Safe System approach, strategic planning across all components of the system is necessary to allocate resources and eliminate harm on regional/remote roads over a realistic long-term time frame. Countermeasures that have the most potential are: speed management technologies and fleet speed/fatigue management policies; incentives and policies to accelerate proven safety and driver assist technologies into the driving fleet; alternative community transport services; and community led collaborative programs in remote areas that improve access to licensing and fit child restraints. | 