Monograph 9 – Fatal light truck crashes

Fatal Light Truck Crashes in Australia

This monograph examines the incidence and characteristics of fatal crashes involving light trucks (that is, trucks weighing less than 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass). Light trucks tend to be driven by couriers, tradespeople, farmers, etc. to deliver goods locally, to transport tools and materials and a range of other short distance activities. Data used in this monograph was extracted from the ATSB fatality crash database (1992-1997) and is the latest available data.

Key findings

• At least one light truck was involved in 6 per cent of all fatal road crashes in 1996 and 1997.
• There was a 48 per cent reduction in the number of fatal light truck crashes between 1992 and 1997. By comparison, the reduction in fatal crashes for all vehicle types was six per cent.
• Fatal light truck crashes comprised multiple vehicle crashes (54 per cent), single vehicle crashes (26 per cent), and pedestrian crashes (20 per cent).
• The most common light truck crashes were head-on collisions.
• The incidence of light truck crashes was higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
• Fatigue and alcohol were the most common contributing factors in light truck crashes where the cause of the crash was attributed to the light truck driver.
• Fifteen per cent of light truck drivers had a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.05g/100ml at the time of the crash. Compared with 3 per cent of heavy truck drivers and 24 per cent of passenger vehicle drivers.

Type: Research and Analysis Report

Sub Type: ATSB Monograph

Topics: Crash data, Fatality, Heavy vehicle

Publication Date: 01/08/01