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Human factors are the main causes of crashes. Laws have been passed to set
limits on the behaviours most strongly linked with crashes and at the same
time governments are trying to inform people so they choose to act differently.
National and international research has identified the five human factors
that cause most road deaths and serious injuries are:
- Drink driving
- Speeding
- Driving while tired
- Driver distraction
- Not using seat belts or restraints.
They have also identified particular groups of road users – motorcyclists,
cyclists and pedestrians - are most at risk of death or serious injury in
road crashes.
1. Drink driving and drug use
In Australia, alcohol remains one of the biggest single causes of road
deaths and injuries. Alcohol reduces your concentration, reaction times and
ability to handle your vehicle but increases your tendency to take risks.
For every increase of 0.05 blood alcohol concentration, the risk of crashing
doubles. Cyclists and pedestrians affected by alcohol also risk being killed
or injured by vehicles.
Many drugs, legal and illegal, affect your skills and concentration needed
for driving, especially if taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs.
2. Speed
Speeding is the cause of at least 20% of fatal crashes.
Speed affects both the risk of a crash and the severity of any crash that
occurs – including crashes caused by factors other than speed.
The greater the speed, the greater the risk.
Even at 65km/h you are twice as likely to have
a casualty crash, compared to travelling at 60km/h. The greater the speed
the greater the distance needed to stop, the greater the impact on stopping
and the greater the risk of losing control on curves.
3. Driving while tired
Driver fatigue or tiredness can be just as deadly as drink driving or speeding.
It is estimated to be a factor in 20% of fatal crashes and is the major cause
of single vehicle crashes on open rural roads where many of our serious crashes
occur.
Tired drivers crash when they are driving when they would normally be asleep,
have had insufficient or broken sleep or are driving after long periods of
work or other activity.
Drivers suffering from fatigue can experience ‘micro sleeps’
of only a few seconds. They may not realise they have been asleep but, at
highway speeds, their vehicles could have travelled 100 metres or more.
4. Distracted driving
Driver distraction occurs when the driver’s reaction to a driving
situation is delayed because he/she is influenced by something else occurring
inside or outside the vehicle.
Activities such as adjusting the controls of audio equipment, talking to
passengers and mobile phone use are particularly distracting and the use of
hand-held mobile phones is banned across Australia.
5. Not using seat belts or child restraints
Research shows that seat belts and child restraints double the chances of
survival in a serious crash. Every year up to 33% of children and adults killed
in road crashes and 19% of those seriously injured are not wearing seat belts.
Those most likely not to be wearing seat belts are young men in rural areas,
back seat passengers, young children and heavy vehicle drivers.
Other important information
Vulnerable road users
Road users who are not surrounded by the protection of a vehicle are more
at risk of death or serious injury in any road crash, particularly:
- Motorcyclists
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
Drivers need to remember to check their blind spots, look out for and give
special consideration to these groups.
Vulnerable road users can increase their safety by making themselves more
visible, riding with lights on, wearing reflective clothing and using safe
routes and road crossings.
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