An estimate of the effectiveness of an in-vehicle automatic collision notification system in reducing road crash fatalities in South Australia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the potential effectiveness of an in - vehicle automatic collision notification (ACN) system in reducing all road crash fatalities in South Australia (SA). Methods: For the years 2008 to 2009 traffic accident reporting system (TARS) data, emergency medical services (EMS) road crash dispatch data and Co roner ‟s reports were matched and examined. This was done t o initially determine the extent to which there was difference s between the reported time of a fatal road crash in the mass crash data and the time EMS were notified and dispatched . In the sub - set of fatal crashes where there was a delay, injuries detailed by a forensic pathologist in individual Coroner ‟s reports were examined to determine the likelihood of survival had there not been a delay in emergency medical assistance. Results : In 25 % (N= 53 ) of fatalities in SA in the period 2008 to 2009, there was a delay in the notification of the crash event, and hence dispatch of EMS , that exceed ed 10 minutes. In the two - year crash period, f ive people were likely to have survived through more prompt crash notification enabling quicker emergency medical assistance. Additionally three people potentially would have survived if surgical intervention (or emergency medical assistance to sustain lif e until surgery) occurred more promptly.