Summary

The purpose of this study was to examine whether residents born overseas had higher rates of death and hospital separation due to road crashes than those born in Australia. This study followed earlier research into the driving behaviour among women in Australia, where the self reported rate of motor vehicle accidents was significantly higher among those born in a non-English speaking country (BNESC), (Dobson, Brown, Ball, Powers & McFadden, 1999).

Summary

In many studies a relationship between vibration and fatigue has been assumed without supporting research, and often based only on anecdotal evidence. The study of fatigue as it relates to vibration is complex and there is limited research available. However, the literature review has identified a few studies showing a possible association between fatigue and low frequency vibration that is typical of the vibration frequencies experienced by truck drivers. These findings could form the basis of further research in this area.

Summary

This report presents the findings of the project "Improved Shock Absorbing Liner for Helmets". A special tool was developed to produce flat samples of foam made of either the new design or the current design. A total of 161 flat foam samples were manufactured and tested to the Australian Standard for motorcycle and bicycle helmets. This included 100 samples with new design and 61 samples with current design.

Summary

Optimism bias regarding road-related optimism bias may contribute to road deaths and injuries by increasing risk-taking on the road. Because driver training courses may worsen road-related optimism bias, components of driver training courses which seek to reduce this bias are important. Although optimism bias is difficult to reduce, techniques developed and evaluated during this research program appear to have some promise.

Summary

The main aim of this project was to quantify the relationship between free travelling speed and the relative risk of involvement in a casualty crash, for sober drivers of passenger vehicles in rural out of town 80 km/h and above speed limit zones in South Australia.

The secondary aim of the project was to examine the effect of various hypothetical speed reductions on rural casualty crash frequency.

Summary

This report documents the findings of a survey of 309 unlicensed driving offenders interviewed at the Brisbane Central Magistrates Court. A wide range of offenders participated in the study including disqualified and suspended drivers, expired licence holders, drivers without a current or appropriate licence, and those who had never been licensed. The results indicate that unlicensed drivers should not be viewed as a homogenous group.

Summary

The study was conducted as a double blind, placebo controlled, four-way cross over study. To assess the psychomotor effects of the administered drugs, the participants were required to perform the critical flicker fusion frequency task (CFF), choice reaction time task (CRT), Bond- Lader visual analogue scale of mood (VASM) and the digit-symbol substitution test (DSST). A significant effect between condition and time for CRT (F(3)= 7.918, p

The Athens Convention

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications has completed an examination of the regulatory impact of Australia's possible accession to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974, as amended by the 2002 Protocol (Athens Convention).

Summary

Australia has applied a 60 km/h default urban speed limit since 1974. In 1999, the Australian Transport Council approved the Australian Road Rules with 60 km/h as the default speed limit for built-up areas. From the early 1990s, individual jurisdictions have introduced lower urban speed limits in various trials.

Summary

This is the report of a second national survey of long distance road transport drivers regarding fatigue and its effects on driving. This report examines the extent of changes in awareness and experiences of fatigue since the first survey, undertaken in 1991. The recent survey involved 1007 long distance road transport drivers from all mainland states of Australia. Two methods were used to collect information, a self-administered questionnaire and an interview, and around half of the responses were collected by each method.