Contents Message from the Minister 3/ Road trauma hurts us all 4/ Is a zero road toll possible 5/ What will it take to get to zero 6/ Leading nations 8/ What is being done in Victoria 9/ Problems and possible solutions 10-24/ A case in point 26/ 3/
Message from the Minister
When it comes to our own Along with efforts to improve driver families and friends, we all behaviour and encourage the uptake want a zero road toll. of safer cars, we can design our roads and roadsides to be more forgiving; use Yet every two hours, someone is killed or technology to make cars and roads safer; hospitalised from a road crash somewhere put more of our enforcement effort and new in Victoria, robbing families and friends measures where the evidence shows it will of their loved ones and stealing healthy save the most lives. years of living from those who survive with crippling injuries. This discussion paper is the start of a community consultation to mobilise and In the next decade another 2,500 people motivate Victorians Towards Zero. We will die needlessly and 50,000 people will will be holding forums across the State to be hospitalised, many having to recover share what we know about where the road from debilitating and life-changing injuries, For the frst time, trauma is happening, and to tap into local if we accept the road toll as it is. Victoria has a and global knowledge about what is likely dedicated Minister This cannot be the price we pay for getting to be most effective in reducing death and around. We can do much more to prevent serious injury. for Road Safety, road trauma claiming lives and livelihoods. who is developing Our immediate fve year That’s why we’re taking a bold approach goal is to reduce the road a new road safety to road safety in Victoria that involves toll from 249 deaths to strategy and every one of us. fewer than 200 by 2020. But we won’t stop there. plan of action, Victoria has led the world with introducing with ambitious mandatory safety belts, random breath We’re searching the world and our own testing, the bike helmet law and safety backyards for the best ways to get goals and a fresh cameras that helped bring down the road Towards Zero in the fastest time possible. toll from over 1,061 deaths in 1970 to 249 approach. The only way our families and friends will in 2014. Now we must lead again. have a zero road toll is if everyone accepts Slipping behind the world’s leaders in road we all have a role to play - governments, safety, like Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark communities, designers, vehicle and the United Kingdom, is not an option: if manufacturers, road authorities and all road we matched the performance of the world’s users, whether you’re on foot, two wheels best countries now, we would have 80 or four. fewer deaths on our roads every year. So please, share your ideas and help What are these countries doing that we steer Victoria’s new road safety strategy aren’t? They have safer vehicles travelling at Towards Zero. safer speeds and roads and roadsides that both prevent crashes and protect people should a crash happen. Responsibility for the roads being safe is shared by all.
Minister for Road Safety Luke Donnellan
4/ TOWARDS ZERO DRAFT
Road trauma hurts us all
This “hidden road toll” In 2014, 249 people of people seriously injured died on Victorian and killed each year includes 39 pre-schoolers roads and the lives and 70 primary school kids; of another 5,098 160 high school students people were turned and 1136 young adults; 2794 people in their middle upside down after years, and 1112 people surviving crashes over 60 who were looking forward to a healthy and with serious active retirement. injuries. Along with the irreplaceable loss of life, the physical trauma and emotional heartbreak, preventable road crashes cost the Victorian community around $3 billion a year. 5/
Is a Zero road toll possible?
Victoria has come a long way in reducing This positive outlook also comes from rapid road trauma, but we have a long way to go. advances in vehicle and road technology, in trauma treatment, smarter law enforcement Back in 1970, 1,061 people died on to make sure we deter drink and drug Victorian roads. Despite many more driving, and that we stay at speeds that our vehicles, bikes and people now on the bodies can withstand if we crash. roads, the loss of life is less than a quarter of what it was then. In the coming decades, new technologies that prevent vehicles from crashing into For the first time, road safety experts are objects in front of them, that warn drivers envisaging a future where nobody dies on of speed limits and can steer cars to the road. safety if they are running off the road, have enormous potential to save lives and There are solutions here and now that can prevent injuries. help make roads safer for everyone.
1970 1061 deaths 2014 249 deaths
population/vehicles Killedkilled x thousandsthousands 1250 6000 5500 1000 5000 4500 4000 750 3500 3000 500 2500 2000 1500 250 1000 500 0 0 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014
Fatalities, population and registered killed vehicles in Victoria, 1970 to 2014 number of registered vehicles population 6/ TOWARDS ZERO DRAFT
What will it take to get to Zero?
A bold and fresh les a i e approach to road h s e safety is needed e e that accepts: e d a s We all make mistakes, but no-one should die because of them u an odies a e ulne a le People are vulnerable - our bodies can only withstand so much crash force before being seriously injured or killed
We all need to share responsibility and make every part of our road eo le ake ha ed istakes es onsi ilit system safer. s This is what the experts call a “safe e s system” approach. u a e d a o o ad e s a
Achieving a safe road system, free of Victoria can achieve major and sustained deaths and serious injuries, requires safety trauma reductions in the future with the improvements to all four key areas of the uptake of safer vehicles, improvements to transport system: road and roadside infrastructure, efforts to improve behaviour and speeds that better Roads and roadsides protect people should they or someone else Vehicles make a mistake. Travel speeds If one part of the system fails (like a Road users distracted parent turns their head to see Both crash avoidance and injury protection why their child is crying in the back), when crashes occur are important another part of the system will help (tactile pathways to a safe system. edge lines or a lane departure warning device may alert them in time to recover). Building on a range of existing road safety If this doesn’t work, a roadside barrier will measures, we will need additional solutions prevent them running off the road, hitting to further reduce road trauma. a tree and being killed. 7/ Are 250 deaths and 5000 serious injuries a year a road toll you’re prepared to pay? When it comes to our family and friends we all want a zero road toll.
Impact speeds above which the risk of serious injury escalates ash t e i a t s eed
head on 70k h
side i a t 50k h
side i a t ith t ee 30k h
edest ian 30k h 8/ TOWARDS ZERO
What are the world’s leading road safety nations doing to reduce road trauma?
Countries such as While Victoria is one of There’s nothing unique about these places the best performing states that make their roads safer - they had the UK, Sweden, in Australia, if we had the trauma rates similar to ours in the past, but they have been making more headway in Switzerland, same trauma rate as the recent years. Denmark and UK and Sweden, 80 fewer the Netherlands people would be killed on What are these countries doing that we our roads each year. aren’t? They have safer vehicles travelling all have fewer at safer speeds, driver behaviour measures, and roads and roadsides that both prevent deaths per head crashes and protect people should a crash of population than happen. Responsibility for the roads being Victoria. safe is shared by all.
Deaths per 100,000 population (2013)
est o ust alia ust ia an e inland i to ia eland e an o a he ethe lands en a k it e land nited in do eden 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Victoria does not enjoy the same level of safety as many European countries. 9/
WhatWhat isis beingbeing donedone inin Victoria?Victoria?
The Government has set a target to reduce deaths to below 200 in the next fve years as its frst step Towards Zero.
For the first time, Victoria has a Noting the involvement of illicit dedicated Minister for Road Safety, drugs in fatal crashes and the who is developing a new road increasing use of ICE in our safety strategy and plan of action, community, the Government with ambitious goals and a fresh has invested $17.9m for 10 new approach. purpose built booze and drug buses and for Police to conduct A big emphasis of the 100,000 drug tests each year. Government’s positive road safety agenda is generational change, With increasing numbers of by establishing safer driving cyclists and pedestrians on the behaviours from a young age to road, $100 million will be invested keep people safe for life. to create a network of paths for cyclists and pedestrians to improve This includes $80 million to safety, along with an inquiry into establish the world’s first cyclist safety. dedicated Road Safety Education Complex, $24 million for a practical The removal of 50 of Melbourne’s safe driving program for secondary most dangerous level crossings school students, $16 million to will also make the road network help disadvantaged teenagers get safer for pedestrians and cyclists the skills and support to meet the and other road users, as Victoria’s mandated 120 hours of driving population grows and more people practice with the L2P program and share the roads. incentives for young drivers who have an unblemished safety record. VicRoads and Transport Certification Australia are asking Parents of primary school children the heavy vehicle, freight and are also being targeted for the and the logistics sector to come first time in a new campaign to forward with innovative proposals highlight the driving habits that to trial technologies that will children might pick up from the make the roads safer, while the back seat. Government has announced plans to redirect thousands of trucks The Government is investing away from local streets. $15 million on innovative upgrades to road intersections to reduce All of these initiatives go towards fatal and serious injuries as building a safer road system. part of the Safe System Road Infrastructure Program (SSRIP). ! 10/ TOWARDS ZERO
Zeroing in on the biggest problems Some roads Over 90% of pose greater road deaths risks in Victoria involve 1 three known challenges: 11/
Some people take more risks
3Some people are more 2 vulnerable 12/ TOWARDS ZERO
Problem High-speed rural roads The following Nearly half of all road fatalities in Victoria three parts of happen on 100 and 110 km/h rural roads: the road network 44% of deaths, 20% of serious injuries 121 deaths and 1,036 serious injuries account for most a year High speed rural roads in Victoria vary road deaths and from very high standard freeway to lower serious injuries. quality roads with low volumes 12% of all serious injury crashes happen on low volume/high speed rural roads Running off the road is the most common crash, followed by head-on and intersection crashes
Intersections in 60/70 zones One in eight deaths and almost one in four 1 injuries happen here: 34 deaths and 1,258 serious injuries What we know: a year Some roads Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are badly affected pose greater One third of serious injuries at intersections happen where there risks are traffic lights
Local streets in 40/50 zones One in ten deaths and one in five serious injuries happen in local streets where most people live: 25 deaths and 1,010 serious injuries a year Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are most affected Impact speeds greater than 30 km/h increase the likelihood of serious injury, and even death for pedestrians and cyclists Crashes happen at both intersections and mid-block
Statistics based on the annual average of crashes resulting in death or serious injury 2010-2013 13/
Drink and drug driving Problem Drink and About a half of drivers and riders killed and drug driving, 28% of those injured have alcohol, illicit drugs or both in their system: speeding, Post P-plates (zero blood alcohol limit) drowsy and for 21-25 year olds is a danger zone Drink drivers are less likely to wear seat- distracted belts making impacts more serious drivers and not The presence of illicit drugs found in drivers killed on Victorian roads wearing seat is increasing Methamphetamine use is on the rise, belts remain particularly in rural areas deadly problems Drug driving is more difficult to enforce on our roads. Speeding A lot of Victorians admit to Every 5 km/h over the 60 km/h limit speeding although they know doubles your risk of crashing: 2 it won’t help them get to their Excessive speed is involved in nearly destination faster. They know 1 in 4 deaths, or 55 deaths a year What we know: it is a major cause of crashes and according to Victoria Police increases their severity. Some people Speed is a big factor in crashes on rural The difference between travelling high speed roads take more at 65 km/h vs 60 km/h over a 10 kilometre stretch of unimpeded Excessive speed is typically involved in risks road is only 46 seconds. the most severe crashes: single-vehicle run-off-road and head-on collisions Mixing pedestrians and cyclists with high speed traffic is dangerous
Distracted and drowsy drivers Victoria Police reports that 10% of deaths and 3.5% of serious casualties relate to drivers crashing from fatigue, and a further 5% of deaths and 2.5% of serious casualties relate to driver distraction: technology is a growing source Mobile phones and other forms of of distraction mobile technology are a growing distraction in cars Being distracted from driving for 2 17hrs awake ≈ seconds or more increases your risk BAC of 0.05 of crashing 24hrs awake ≈ A driver awake for 17 hours has an BAC of 0.10 equivalent impairment to drink driving at 0.05 and after 24 hours an equivalent to 0.10 blood alcohol level 14/ TOWARDS ZERO
Every two hours, someone is killed or hospitalised from a road crash somewhere in Victoria, robbing families and friends of their loved ones and stealing healthy years of living from those who survive with crippling injuries. 15/
What do you think?
16/ TOWARDS ZERO
Problem Young drivers under 25 People involved in heavy Young drivers are one of the highest risk vehicle crashes groups on our roads. Inexperience, lifestyle factors, risk-taking and using older, less Heavy vehicle crashes often result safe cars all make them vulnerable to in very high levels of trauma: crashes: Involved in 18% of road deaths, Involved in 20% of deaths, 10% of serious injuries 23% of serious injuries 49 deaths and 429 serious injuries 55 deaths and 1,245 serious injuries a year a year Involvement of a heavy vehicle increases 40% of drivers killed aged 21 to 25 yrs the risk of serious trauma for other road are typically over the legal alcohol limit users Night time is when about half of their Rear-end crashes most common, crashes happen followed by intersection crashes
Drivers over 60 Older drivers are the fastest growing age group of drivers on the road and this partly 3 explains recent growth in their serious What we know: Some people injuries: Involved in 19% of deaths, are more 17% of serious injuries 51 deaths and 943 serious injuries vulnerable a year Largest growing age group of drivers on the road Serious injuries are growing More likely to crash in 60/70km zones Single vehicle crashes on open road also a problem 17/
Motorcyclists Pedestrians in built Cyclists Motorcyclists are highly over-represented up areas Cyclists are very vulnerable if involved in a in road trauma and the injury outcomes for People can be seriously injured and even crash, and their numbers are growing on riders can be severe: die if they are hit at speeds of 30 km/h and the road: above. Our bodies aren’t designed Involved in 16% of deaths, 16% of Involved in 3% of deaths, 9% of serious serious injuries and only 5% of registered to withstand the impact: injuries and rising with growing numbers vehicles of cyclists Involved in 9% of deaths and 8.5% 45 deaths and 847 serious injuries of serious injuries 7 deaths and 426 serious injuries a year a year 25 deaths and 480 serious injuries Most crashes occur in 40, 50 and 60 Motorcyclists are vulnerable in both a year km/h urban zones single vehicle crashes and in crashes Vulnerable to death and serious injury at involving the actions of other drivers Crashes occur at both intersections ash t e and mid-block i a t s eedlower speeds than if you were in a car Half of serious casualties involve lane Crashes at intersections the biggest departure Children and older people are most at risk problem, followed by hits from behind One quarterhead on of serious casualties occur 70k h and ‘dooring’ on curves Intersections can also be risky for motorcyclists side i a t 50k h
Riskside i a t of being killed by impact speeds ith t ee 30k h
100 edest ian 30k h 80
% 60
40
head-on collison 20 side-on collision
Source: SALAR, Sweden 0 pedestrian collision 0 20 40 60 80 100 k h Impact speed 18/ TOWARDS ZERO
A new campaign to save young lives Actions like speeding or talking on the phone while driving are things children pick up from the back seat. For the frst time, the TAC has directly targeted parents of primary school children in order to reduce road trauma, with parents of children aged 5 to 12 the primary audience. 19/
What do you think?
20/ TOWARDS ZERO Solutions moving us towards zero
les a i e h s e e e e d a s u an odies a e ulne a le
eo le ake ha ed istakes es onsi ilit s e s u a e d a o o ad e s a
Achieving a safe road system, free of deaths and serious injuries, requires safety improvements to all four key areas of the transport system. 21/
les a i e h s e e e e d a s
s e s u a e d a o o ad e What we s a know works Controlled turning movements at Road and roadside dangerous intersections treatments in combination Traffic calming measures coupled with slowing down vehicles in local streets in Possible with speed management to consultation with local government and communities prevent crashes Safer street layouts in new suburbs solutions reduce impact speeds and towns to survivable levels Motorcycle friendly treatments on popular routes and effective treatments Safer roads protect you if you leave at intersections and speeds the road Kerb outstands and central refuges protect pedestrians when crossing the Possible solutions include: road Slowing down traffic where there is high Flexible roadside and centre line barriers pedestrian and bicycle activity such as on high volume roads – shown to reduce shops, town centres and transport hubs run-off-road crashes by up to 85% to keep speeds at safe levels The vibration of tactile edge-lines can Treatments at intersections so cyclists help alert drivers they’re drifting off the are separated from turning traffic and road, avoiding one in four high speed easily seen by drivers rural road crashes Bicycle paths and separated bicycle Safer speeds, treatment on curves and lanes on key bicycle routes wide centre lines can help drivers avoid or survive crashes Community understanding of what speeds the human body can tolerate Speed cameras, as well as effective before death and serious injury can police enforcement all help reduce support more effective measures trauma Working with the community to Speed and red light cameras improve amenity and safety through which have shown a 47% reduction an understanding of what works best in casualty crashes on the camera leg in a region at intersections Roundabouts slow down traffic and help safety at intersections Road treatments such as raised platforms before intersections to slow vehicles through intersections can almost halve the number of casualty crashes
even legal speed limits can be dangerous speeding is typically with pedestrians and cyclists at risk at involved in the most severe crashes 30km/h 22/
les a i e h s e e e e d a s
s e s u a e d a o o ad e s a What we know works Graduated licensing schemes that gradually introduce new drivers and Motivate road users to riders to more complex driving situations adopt safer behaviour as they become better drivers and riders Possible through more efective: Improved enforcement techniques to ensure laws related to the use of mobile public education phones and other technology are solutions obeyed enforcement and Future potential to screen drivers to Safer road legislation detect fatigue behaviour change High-level drink/drug testing, speed users cameras and police-based speed measures enforcement partnerships with Speeding alerts to help drivers stay within speed limits industry and community Industry partnerships to manage heavy vehicle driving hours, speeds and Possible solutions include: stimulant use Encouraging separation of drinking In-vehicle speed monitoring for heavy from driving vehicles with breaches brought to the attention of the company Enforcement of drink and drug driving with a focus on both metro and rural Protective clothing for motorcyclists to areas limit injuries A package of measures, including; Separating cyclists from vehicles alcohol interlocks, screening and brief to prevent crashes behavioural interventions for drink drive Less driving late at night for first year offenders, as a significant proportion drivers as they build skills continue to offend Awareness of health conditions that Examining overseas experience impair driving as we age regarding legal blood alcohol limits and levels of alcohol-related trauma Support older drivers to regulate their own driving or retire from driving where appropriate 23/ 24/ TOWARDS ZERO
les a i e h s e e e e d a s
s e s u a e d a o o ad e s a What we know works Access to safer cars for young, New vehicle inexperienced drivers Possible technologies can Improved heavy vehicle safety using: ■ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Help keep you driving to help maintain control of the vehicle solutions safely (e.g. speed alerts, ■ Lane Departure Warning or Lane Keep alcohol interlocks) Assist to stop the vehicle straying from the lane Help keep you in control ■ Auto Emergency Braking to reduce Safer Vehicles in risky situations the incidence of rear-end crashes (e.g. Electronic Stability Cars with frontal design offering pedestrian protection can help to Control) reduce the severity of crashes involving Reduce injury severity pedestrians ABS braking for motorcyclists is able to in the event of a crash reduce casualty crashes by up to 40% (e.g. Side Curtain Airbags) New and emerging technology including Possible solutions include: fatigue alarms and Lane Keep Assist have major potential A range of technologies that reduce Emerging technologies in the longer trauma significantly: term such as as passive alcohol sensors ■ Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) that and technology to ensure seat belt use reduces speeding by up to 40% can would have major benefits help drivers stay at safer speeds Technology or apps that minimise the ■ Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) that risk of distraction to a driver from detects the distance and closing in-vehicle communication speeds of other vehicles can apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t - AEB can In the longer term, technology that reduce rear-end crashes by 38% allows vehicles to detect other road users and either warn the driver or ■ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) actively prevent collisions have great that reduces single-vehicle crashes potential to improve safety by 37% (currently mandated for cars) The uptake of vehicles with Side Curtain Airbags (SCA), that protect the driver and passengers from head injury, particularly in side impact crashes - SCA can reduce the risk of driver deaths by 37% Safer cars with good visibility and side curtain airbags for older drivers 25/
To tell us what you think about road safety, please visit towardszero.vic.gov.au 26/ TOWARDS ZERO
A case in point A 400 km length of highway in Gippsland has been upgraded because we know that high speed rural roads pose additional risks. The improvements were tailored to meet specifc safety issues. Safety barriers and audio-tactile centrelines were installed to help prevent head-on crashes. Where run-of-road crashes were common, road side hazards have been removed or safety barriers installed. The highway passes through towns and pedestrian crashes have become a signifcant issue. Trafc signal timing was changed and speed limits reduced to make crossing the road safer. “Gateway” treatments now alert drivers that there’s a town ahead, reminding them to slow down and watch for walkers and cyclists. The results are dramatic – there has been a 44% reduction in the number of serious casualty crashes in the two years since this work was done.
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