This week, 11-18 May, is National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, in collaboration with government bodies and road safety organisations. The week raises awareness of the devastating impact of road trauma and promotes the actions to reduce it.
Monash University experts are available to discuss key topics related to road safety.
Professor Stuart Newstead, Director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre
Contact details: +61 3 9905 4364 or [email protected]
- Vehicle safety
- Used Car Safety Ratings
- Crash avoidance technology
- Heavy vehicle safety
- SUVs/4WDs and occupant protection
- Vulnerable (pedestrian, cyclist) road user safety
The following can be attributed to Professor Newstead:
“Vehicle safety improvements have played a major role in reducing road trauma over the past 50 years. Safer vehicles not only protect occupants during crashes but increasingly help prevent crashes altogether.
“However, there is still significant opportunity to reduce road trauma by encouraging safer vehicle choices, especially among younger and older drivers. A key focus during National Road Safety Week should be how we can unlock this remaining potential to save lives.”
Dr Angelo D’Elia, Research Fellow, Monash University Accident Research Centre
Contact details: +61 448 248 107 or [email protected]
- Advanced vehicle safety technologies and their road trauma reduction potential
- Priorities for future vehicle safety regulation
“Fitting effective safety technologies to both light and heavy vehicles has the potential to drastically reduce fatalities and serious injuries, not just for vehicle occupants, but also for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
“MUARC research shows that mandating advanced systems such as Intelligent Speed Assistance, Driver Drowsiness Detection and Alcohol Interlocks could deliver substantial reductions in road trauma across Australia and New Zealand, while also generating significant social cost savings.”
Dr Jason Kearney, Research Fellow, Monash University Accident Research Centre
Contact 0405 697 503 or [email protected]
- Protecting those who protect us
- Paramedic physical and psychological injury at work
The following can be attributed to Dr Kearney:
“Vehicle-related incidents remain the leading cause of work-related fatalities among paramedics. Attending roadside emergencies puts these workers at heightened risk of serious physical harm, psychological injury, and even death.
“Beyond the devastating impact of road trauma on victims and their families, we must also acknowledge the emotional and mental toll these incidents take on the first responders who witness them firsthand.”
Dr Hayley McDonald, Research Fellow, Monash University Accident Research Centre
Contact [email protected]
- Workplace road safety culture
- Gig economy and light commercial vehicle driver safety
- Organisational safety interventions and policy development
“Workplace drivers and riders, particularly those in light commercial vehicles and the gig economy, are consistently over-represented in road crash statistics, yet often left out of mainstream safety interventions.
“Our research shows that building a strong road safety culture in the workplace, through leadership, targeted training, and shared responsibility, can meaningfully reduce road trauma. It’s time we better protect those whose work keeps our communities moving.”
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]
For more information on Road Safety at Monash university - https://www.monash.edu/muarc/research/research-areas/transport-safety
The Monash University Accident Research Centre
Through excellence in injury prevention research and translation, we support, challenge and engage citizens, communities, governments and industry to eliminate injury from all causes.The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has a strong history of excellence in safety science research, research training and education, both professional and academic. The scope of MUARC’s work has encompassed road and transport safety, injury prevention and community safety and disaster resilience.
For more information on National Road Safety Week - https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/