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.

OR 2: Fitting and Wearing of Seat Belts in Australia: The History of a Successful Countermeasure

Summary

From 1925 when road accident data for Australia were first published till 1979, over 100, 000 road users were killed and 2.2 mlllion injured. Nevertheless, motor vehicle travel is much safer today than it was fifty pears ago. Although the reasons for this improvement are not fully understood, a measure which has had a major influence in recent years has been the fitting and wearing of seat belts. The action taken by the Australian States and Territories to ensure seat belts are worn has been one of the major road safety experiments.

Road Safety Publications

Australia's Second Generational Approach to Roadside Drug Testing

Summary

In October 2018, the Transport and Infrastructure Senior Officials’ Committee endorsed the National Drug Driving Working Group report - Australia’s Second Generational Approach to Roadside Drug Testing. The report found that Australia is the world leader in drug driving enforcement and deterrence.

2016 E-Survey of Road users' Attitudes - Australia fact sheet

Summary

The E-Survey of Road users" Attitudes (ESRA) project is a joint initiative of research institutes in 25 countries collecting comparable national data on road users" opinions, attitudes and self-reported behaviour with respect to road traffic risks. In total, ESRA gathered data from almost 27,000 road users; 1002 in Australia. This fact sheet shows a core set of variables in which Australia is compared with the mean results of European countries.

2018 E-Survey of Road users' Attitudes - Australia fact sheet

Summary

The E-Survey of Road users’ Attitudes (ESRA) project is a joint initiative of road safety institutes, research centres, government departments and private sponsors from all over the world. The aim is to collect and analyse comparable data on road safety culture and behaviours. This fact sheet contains key results of the second edition of ESRA, which was conducted simultaneously in 32 countries in 2018. In total this online panel survey collected data from more than 35,000 road users; 968 in Australia.

Ocean carrier agent

Under Section 10.68 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the ACT), an ocean carrier is required to be represented at all times by an agent appointed for the purposes to this Act and specified in the register of ocean carrier agents. Please note that penalties may apply for an ocean carrier who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection 10.68(1) of the Act.

Community Attitudes to Road Safety–2009 survey report

Summary

This report documents the findings from the Department's 2009 survey of community attitudes to road safety. The twenty-first in a series of national surveys on community attitudes to road safety was conducted in March and April 2009. A total of 1,615 interviews were conducted with persons aged 15 years and over.

In-Car Distractions and Their Impact on Driving Activities

Summary

In-car distractions can seriously impair driving and potentially contribute to accidents. In-car distractions include mobile phones, entertainment systems, interaction with passengers, and most recently satellite navigation systems. This study investigates such distractions by providing micro-detailed descriptions and analyses of their occurrence and impact on driving activities, such as looking towards the road ahead or handling the steering wheel. The study uses naturally occurring data, in-car video recordings of driving in real-world driving situations.

Scoping Study of Mobile Phone use while driving

Summary

A national scoping study into mobile phone use while driving across Australia has been completed and the report can be downloaded from the link below. The researchers noted that the use of mobile phones and other mobile technologies has been increasing, and that the effects on driver distraction are of concern. At present, the available evidence regarding mobile phone use in crashes is limited. While hand-held mobile phone use is illegal in Australia, the use of legal hands-free systems in cars may also be contributing to crash risk.

Roadside Drug Testing Scoping Study

Summary

A national scoping study into roadside drug testing across Australia has been completed. The researchers noted that overall, Australia has the most intensive roadside drug testing program in the world, with roadside oral fluid testing introduced in Australia a decade or more before any other jurisdiction internationally.
Subscribe to