The Federal election was called on 28 March 2025. As this website is hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the site will only be updated with material in line with the Caretaker Conventions. Please note that the content of this site relates to the Australian Government’s existing policy.

Bicycle Road Accidents Caused by Steering Instability

Summary

Recently the community has been made aware that certain bicycles in use in the general community possess a potential steering instability. The issue has gained increased exposure in Queensland and Australia after the death of a 12 year old girl in 1994. In this report, the stability of bicycles is investigated. A review of the present methods of accessing bicycle instability is presented and the effect of trail on the stability of bicycles is examined by testing a variety of commonly available bicycles.

Alcohol and road fatalities

Summary

Considers the involvement of alcohol in fatal road crashes and provides a statistical overview of alcohol related fatal road crashes in 1992.

Download Complete Document: Alc_fat_1 [PDFPDF: 146 KB]

Optimisation of the Omnibus Roll Cage Structure

Summary

Improvement of vehicle stability and crashworthiness to reduce rollover and to provide increased occupant protection in the event of rollover requires that the effects of design parameters on vehicle rollover propensity are thoroughly understood. Improvement of rollover characteristics of buses currently requires extensive experimentation and considerable resources associated with rollover destruction of experimental bus structures.

CR 99: Long distance truck drivers: on-road performance and economic reward (1991)

Summary

This study was undertaken to explore the underlying factors influencing the on-road behaviour of long distance truck drivers. A survey of 820 long distance truck drivers was conducted to collect the data for the study. Detailed information was obtained on the income of drivers, work routines in the industry, the incidence of schedules, and aspects of the driver's behaviour such as propensity to speed and the use of stimulant drugs.

CR 96: Characteristics of seat belt non-wearers (1991)

Summary

Observations of seat belt usage and interviews of seat belt non-wearers were conducted in fourteen rural towns in New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory. In general, the study concludes that seat belt wearing rates have increased significantly in recent years. In addition, a number of characteristics of seat belt non-wearers have been drawn from the interview data with regard to socio-economic characteristics, type and length of trip, attitudes to seat belt laws and random breath testing.

Stress, Violations and Accidents

Summary

Some project reports are available on request. For more information please email: roadsafety@infrastructure.gov.au.

Type: Research and Analysis Report
Sub Type: Grant
Author(s): Hartley
Topics: Behaviour, Enforcement, Risk
Publication Date: 01/01/91

CR 95: Passenger cars and occupant injuries (1991)

Summary

This project was undertaken to evaluate the level of protection afforded occupants of current generation passenger cars available on the Australian market and to provide directions for future improvements in occupant protection. A literature review was initially undertaken to highlight reported vehicle occupant injuries and sources of injury as well as countermeasures, which are presently under consideration overseas.

The Impact Of Driver Training Course On The Causal Attributions Of Young Provisional Licence Holders

Summary

The present study examines one aspect of the application of Attribution Theory to understanding driving behaviour. Attribution Theory approaches behaviour from the perspective of a person’s "world view". It argues that an individual's actions will depend on their interpretation of the causes of events that they observe around them. These causes can be classified as Internal (within the person) or External (in the environment), and Stable (relatively constant) or Unstable (readily modified).

CR 98: Neighbourhood road safety and amenity: a look at barriers to the implementation of local area traffic management schemes and strategies to overcome these (1991)

Summary

The project had two aims: to provide an information base on attitudes and other barriers to the implementation of speed control and LATM schemes in Western Sydney which the Office of Road Safety and other authorities can use in promoting such schemes; to disseminate information on relevant research relating to speed control and LATM Schemes to elected local representatives within Western Sydney and to technical staff.

CR 97/1 & CR 97/2: Study on potential to improve fuel economy of passenger motor vehicles (1991)

Summary

This Report provides information about the factors affecting the fuel economy of new passenger cars sold in Australia, and the potential for reducing fuel consumption up to 2005. It does not explicitly consider commercial vehicle derivatives nor does it make recommendations. Qualifying comments are included where appropriate.

Download complete report 97/1

Download complete report 97/2

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