Prevention and mitigation of fatal crashes in regional and remote areas

Abstract

Road users in regional and remote areas have a higher risk of death and serious injuries than those in metropolitan areas. This study used a Safe Systems based approach to investigate the potential of different types of interventions to prevent fatal crashes or mitigate the level of injury severity in regional/remote areas. Coroner's case reports investigating 111 fatal road crashes in South Australia from 2014 to 2015 that occurred on regional or remote roads in South Australia were examined. A case-by-case analysis was conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding, and the factors contributing to, the crash, as well as potential preventative measures under each of the Safe System pillars. The findings showed that while road user behaviour is a large contributor to fatal crashes in regional/remote areas, it is vehicle and road based countermeasures that provide the greatest potential to prevent these crashes and mitigate related injuries. Investment in safe roadside infrastructure, particularly to protect road users in road departure crashes, and the use of policies and incentives to accelerate the uptake of newer vehicles with safe vehicle technologies (i.e. lane keeping technology, electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking) hold the most promise. These interventions should also be coupled with the most effective enforcement strategies to deter unsafe driver behaviours and increase the perceived risk of detection; speed management, such as lower speed limits to match the quality of the road and infrastructure; and measures to ensure restraint use compliance. The findings provide those responsible for designing, managing and monitoring the road system with evidence-based guidance for establishing future priorities in order to more effectively prevent road trauma in regional/remote areas.