MR 05: Driver fatigue and stimulants (1989)

Summary

The relationship between driver fatigue and the use of stimulants is reviewed. While little information is available about stimulant use by car drivers, Australian and overseas surveys have shown that about 40-60% of long distance truck drivers have recently used stimulants for the purpose of keeping awake while driving. The pharmacology of the most widely used stimulants is discussed, as are effects of these stimulants on driving behaviour.

MR 02: Blood alcohol concentrations of pedestrians (1989)

Summary

BACs were obtained for 213 adult pedestrians who were admitted to an Adelaide hospital between August 1985 & July 1987. Almost 2/3 of the pedestrians were male, and males had a higher rate per 10,000 pop. of admission to hospital than female pedestrians. Overall, 38% of the pedestrians with known BACs had been drinking, 29% had a BAC of 100g/100ml or above, and 13% had a BAC of .200 or above.

CR 86: Out and About: a survey of teachers' usage (1989)

Summary

The Federal Office of Road Safety has produced a pre-primary and primary schools version of the road safety education resource material "Out and About". This report details the evaluative research undertaken amongst primary school teachers to establish the way in which the materials were used once received by schools.

CR 82: Rural truck speed differentials: the 1986/87 national study (1989)

Summary

This study aimed to examine the effect of the increase in the heavy vehicle speed limit from 80 to 90 km/h on 1 January 1987. Articulated vehicle mean free speeds were found to have increased in four States: car speeds remained stable. The speed differential between cars and articulated vehicles was reduced from 10 to 8 km/h.

CR 87: How some advances in econometrics might be used in road crash analysis (1989)

Summary

The purpose of this report is to review the potential for applying some recent advances in econometrics, particularly in the analysis of categorical data to road accident research. This report should interest (a) those involved in the analysis of road accident data (b) those involved in road accident research (c) statisticians and econometricians with an interest in the analysis of categorical date.

Local government and road safety: A report on the attitudes and activities of South Australian Councillors

Summary

Local government clearly acts as a significant contributor to the maintenance of road safety standards, and what is probably just as important, it provides people with a ready channel of communication to voice their concens about road safety. Councillors, despite individual variations, collectively act as a conduit for public concern, and without them there would undoubtedly be high degree of frustration.

MR 01: Report on overseas visits: Vehicle occupant protection project (1989)

Summary

Visits were made to a number of American and European vehicle manufacturers, Research Centres, and Traffic Safety Administration Authorities during April and May 1988 to discuss current trends and developments in occupant safety worldwide. In addition, several Invitations were made to overseas experts to visit the Monash University Accident Research Centre during 1988 and 1989 to hold similar discussions.

Social Survey Techniques for Assessing the Effects of Drink-Driving Countermeasures

Summary

There would be major coverage problems if the telephone system was to be used as the sole basis for the data collection. It was for this reason that this research examined the feasibility of using administrative records (the RTA Driver Licence Register), as a basis for selecting a sample of the target population, who would hopefully volunteer to participate in the survey. The response rates from this approach were disappointing, particularly at stage one of the process, where there was a requirement to return a completed slip by reply-paid mail.

Comparison of Velocity Detection in Young and Older Observers in a Simulated Night Driving Situation

Summary

Thresholds for detection of angular velocity were determined in young and older observers for a target simulating the motion-in-depth of a motor vehicle at night. Thresholds were determined for a range of target sizes and for central and peripheral viewing conditions. We found significant differences in thresholds between these groups with the older subject group performing worse. Angular velocity thresholds increased with target angular size and with peripheral viewing.

CR 60: Speed perception 2: Drivers' judgement of safety and speed on rural curved roads and at night (1989)

Summary

This project was a continuation of a previous study in speed perception that evaluated the role of the type of road and road width, roadside development, travel speed, driving experience and the sex of the driver on estimates of safety and travel speed (Fides, Fletcher & Corrigan, 1987). In the first experiment, the effect of night driving and time of testing on a driver's perception of speed on straight rural roads was assessed using the previous methodology.
Subscribe to