Nsw Crash Statistics 2003

[aniken]

Police Reveal Disturbing Driver Statistics For Operation Safe Return

22, January 2004

In the last 12 months since Operation Safe Return 2003, police have collated data which has revealed some disturbing statistics - particularly for men.

In 2003, there were 497 fatal crashes involving 783 drivers resulting in 552 deaths. Of those deaths, 252 people were driving the vehicles and 137 were passengers.

Of all fatal crashes in that period, 75 per cent (588 of 783) drivers were men. And in these crashes 57 per cent (336) were at fault.

Forty per cent (317 of 783) of drivers involved in fatal road accidents were aged between 18-35 years.

As well, 71 per cent (554 of 783) of drivers were within 100km of their homes, which indicates to police that drivers may not concentrate as much when the road is familiar to them.

And 66 per cent (328 out of 497) occur on a straight stretch of road.

A summary of these figures illustrates that if you are an 18-35 year old male travelling within 100km of your home on a straight road in a country area then you are at a high risk of being involved in a fatal crash.

Operation Safe Return, the Australia Day long weekend road safety campaign runs from 0001 hours Friday 23 January, 2004, to 2359 hours on 26 January. Police are targeting speeding drivers, drink drivers and people not wearing their seatbelts.

Traffic Services Commander, Chief Superintendent John Hartley said the statistics should send a strong message to all motorists getting ready for long weekend holidays.

Our most recent crash profile indicates some alarming statistics. That men, particularly young men, are most likely to be at risk in a fatal road crash¨ Chief Superintendent Hartley said.

This is not something that us as police officers, nor the community, can ignore. Young men who have the urge to speed, drive dangerously, drink drive or not wear seatbelts are taking their lives, and those of others, in their own hands.

However, I am urging all motorists, men and women, young and old, to act responsibly and cautiously when behind the wheel not only during Operation Safe Return but all year round.

Deaths on our roads can be avoided but as police we can only do so much. We need the communitys help.¨

Other statistics include:

- 27 per cent (133 out of 497) fatal crashes occur between 2pm and 6pm

- Fatal crashes are spread evenly over the week with less occurring on Tuesdays

- 21 per cent (104 out of 497) fatal crashes occurred when the vehicle travelled off the roadway

- 19 per cent (92 out of 497) fatal crashes resulted from vehicles travelling in opposite directions (head on or similar)

Double demerit points for all speeding and seatbelt offences apply from 23-26 January 2004

[Guest esky]

Other statistics include:

- 27 per cent (133 out of 497) fatal crashes occur between 2pm and 6pm

- Fatal crashes are spread evenly over the week with less occurring on Tuesdays

- 21 per cent (104 out of 497) fatal crashes occurred when the vehicle travelled off the roadway

- 19 per cent (92 out of 497) fatal crashes resulted from vehicles travelling in opposite directions (head on or similar)

Double demerit points for all speeding and seatbelt offences apply from 23-26 January 2004

OK, that means if we dont drive between 2 and 6pm on any day, other than Tuesday and we only travel in the city on 'one-way' roads, we can speed as much as we like?

[Falchoon]

Interesting statistics, I'm curious why speed hasn't been mentioned.

[1WHEEL]

Speed not a worrying statistic and if mentioned why speed cameras!!!

[richdave]

Interesting statistics, I'm curious why speed hasn't been mentioned.

Because "speed" cammeras have NOTHING to do with road safety. they are for revenue raising purposes.

[Falchoon]

Yes but in all seriousness speed must be a contributing factor in some accidents, not as many as the Government would like us to think so they can justify the Greed Cameras but some anyway.

[GDH]

Ahh statistics...you can make them prove any point you'd like. The raw figures in themselves prove very little, unless they reflect a significant deviation from the overall population.

I doubt that there is anything particularly significant in these statistics, as they would more or less reflect the general motoring population...ie people die in car crashes closer to home because the vast majority of trips are undertaken closer to home, men are over-represented in fatals because they drive proportionately more often and further than women, and 18-35yos more than likely drive 40% of all trips, hence would be expected to be involved in 40% of fatals...

But they sell papers and they justify increasingly draconian enforcement policies...

GDH

[JJ_Phantom]

I did a search for Road Stats and found this interesting publication (attached) on QLD road crashes & fatalities.

The first graph is stats on the causes - as determined by the Police on scene. Interesting to note that Speed was a factor in 17% of fatalities (5th highest cause) and only a factor in 5% of all accidents.

The other thing I found REALLY disturbing was near the end it says that in 30% of fatalities there was no seat belts used. I might get flamed - but, HUGE fines & loss of licences should be given for this.

absqld2002.pdf