Road user behaviour, attitudes and crashes: a survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe road user behaviour, attitudes and crashes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in four urban, regional and remote communities located in New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA).MethodsFace-to-face surveys were administered to clients (n=625) in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS). All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients attending the ACCHS for any reason were approached to participate over a 2-week period. Surveys included questions on sociodemographic factors, crash involvement, road behaviours and road safety attitudes drawn from tools used in national surveys.ResultsThe participation rate was high (69%–75%). Seat belt wearing rates were very high, particularly in the front of a car, although rear seat belt wearing rates in SA (77%) were substantially lower than in NSW (93%). Among drivers, 11% reported always or mostly driving 10 km/hour over the speed limit, and this was higher among drivers in SA (13.4%). Drivers aged 55 years and over and/or women were more likely to report that they do not drink at any time or restricted what they drank when driving. These results enable comparison with the Community Attitude to Road Safety survey conducted Australia-wide in 2013.ConclusionsThis study confirms that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are inclined to report attitudes or road safety behaviours similar to the rest of the population; however, rear restraint use was lower and self-reported speeding was higher. These issues are likely attributable to transport options and geography in remote communities, which can contribute to overcrowding and unsafe driving practices.

Road traffic fatalities in rural and remote Australia from 2006 to 2017: The need for targeted action

“…The success of road fatality reduction in high income countries has been attributed to decades of action including research in road systems, vehicle safety, exposure reduction for vulnerable road users and improved road design and enforcement. 15 Of 35 OECD countries, Australia's road fatality rate per 100 000 in 2017 ranked 17th of 35 nations, at 4.98 per 100 000. 16 The rural fatality rates tell a different story at 16.45 deaths per 100 000, 16 higher than the national rates of many low-and middleincome countries including Cambodia (11.9 deaths per 100 000), Jamaica (13.9 deaths per 100 000) and Columbia (14.1 deaths per 100 000) that same year.…”

“…The success of road fatality reduction in high income countries has been attributed to decades of action including research in road systems, vehicle safety, exposure reduction for vulnerable road users and improved road design and enforcement 15 . Of 35 OECD countries, Australia's road fatality rate per 100 000 in 2017 ranked 17th of 35 nations, at 4.98 per 100 000 16 .…”

“…Our study showed a road fatality gradient by geographical remoteness, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples residing in Remote and Very Remote areas were over four times as likely to die in a fatal MVC than those residing in Major Cities. Despite high rates of road injury and fatality, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples do not report less safe driving behaviours in comparison with the rest of the population 15 . The Closing the Gap framework aims to reduce the discrepancy of life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Aboriginal Australians, which must include improving injury outcomes 29,31 .…”

“…Despite high rates of road injury and fatality, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples do not report less safe driving behaviours in comparison with the rest of the population. 15 The Closing the Gap framework aims to reduce the discrepancy of life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal Australians, which must include improving injury outcomes. 29,31 In order to Close the Gap, 29,31 MVC fatality discrepancies must be addressed.…”