Summary

In-depth data at MUARC was used to evaluate Australian Design Rule 69 (ADR 69), Full Frontal Impact Occupant Protection, with respect to both injury risk and cost of injury for drivers of passenger cars. The effectiveness of frontal airbag deployment was also examined. ADR 69 was introduced in Australia in mid-1995 and was based largely on the US occupant protection standard, FMVSS 208.

Summary

In actioning one of the recommendations to come out of the 2004 Indigenous Road Safety Forum and Working Group, the ATSB commissioned ARRB Group to update the indigenous road safety scoping study that they had completed in 2003. The literature review and consultation process was revisited in an attempt to identify the current state of indigenous road safety in Australia. The data analysis was not revisited although the results of the original analyses are presented within this report.

Summary

The total number of road deaths in April 2006 was 122—this is a 9.6% decrease from the April 2005 figure.

The number of road deaths in 2006 to the end of April is 540—this is a 3.3% increase over the same 4 month period in 2005.

Summary

This pilot study was undertaken to investigate whether presently available methods were capable of generating useful information on the relative contribution of microtexture and macrotexture to stopping distance at different speeds. All trials were conducted using the same late model Holden Commodore Station Wagon fitted with anti-lock braking (ABS), a Global Positioning System (GPS), an accelerometer and a computer. Testing was carried out at four sites with different combinations of macrotexture and skid resistance.

Summary

This month's key figures

The total number of road deaths in July 2006 was 111
- this is a 20.7% decrease from the July 2005 figure.

The number of road deaths in 2006 to the end of July  is 917
- this is a 1.4% decrease from the same 7 month period in 2005.