2007 Road Toll statistics

[Pedro]

National annual road toll falls
Wednesday Jan 2 06:57 AEDT

Australia's overall national road toll has continued to fall - except in the bush.More than 1,500 Australians died on the nation's roads in 2007, the highest total coming from NSW where the 445 deaths were the least since World War II

In contrast, Queensland's death toll of 360, the second-highest in the country, was the state's worst in a decade.

The total also dropped in Victoria where 333 died on state roads, including 13 in the final 10 days of the year

Western Australia recorded an increase of some 14 per cent in road deaths with 235 against 200 for 2006, with almost all the additional deaths coming outside of Perth.
"In 2006, there were 85 deaths on metropolitan areas and 115 in the country," a WA Police spokesman said.
"In 2007, there were 88 metropolitan deaths and 147 country deaths, up by 32."

A similar trend occurred in the Northern Territory where the road toll was up almost 25 per cent, at 57.

In South Australia the total rose by only eight to 125, but the rural toll increased by 12 per cent.

The ACT toll rose by 14, up one from the previous year.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma said his state's road toll represented the best result, per capita, since 1908, the year that records began.
"This is the fifth consecutive year the road toll has reduced despite a steady increase in traffic on our roads," Mr Iemma said.
"Motorists deserve credit for heeding the road safety messages."
The NSW toll is also a vast reduction on the state's peak of 1,384 road deaths in 1978.

In Victoria, motorists can expect a drink-driving blitz in 2008 following a dramatic increase in the number of fatalities involving victims who were driving under the influence.
Of those killed on the state's roads in 2007, 54 were drink drivers - up from 32 in 2006.
"This is a massive increase - 16 per cent of all fatalities on our roads are drink drivers," Victoria Roads Minister Tim Pallas said.
Victoria recorded its second lowest road toll on record.

Motoring groups said police and governments still had work to do in getting the message through to drivers on country roads where speed limits are generally higher than in cities and roadside obstacles create additional risks.

[LTDHO]

I hope a lot fewer will die on our raods this year.

People need to concentrate more. That simple.

[RG]

True, hopefully they will focus more now on drink drivers too.

[bingoTE50]

Bloody Tragedy regardless ....

Remember these figures do not mention the survivors who are physically and mentally scarred for the rest of their days .

[rodderz]

I think if they implement a program that focuses on driver education and road attitude early on in the L and P plate stage and ongoing throughtout the driver's lives, that number would be dropped significantly. People have been saying this for years but unfortunately they continue to rely on fines and cameras to do so.

They don't fix the problem of why they speed/drink/drive stupidly in the 1st place

[4Vman]

In Victoria despite a slight drop from the previous year:

MORE young people died on Victorian roads in 2007, with the number in the 18-25 age bracket rising from 64 to 82 (up 29%).

DEATHS in the 30-49 age bracket fell from 109 to 92 over the same period (down 15%).

THE toll among the over-70s fell from 50 to 38 (down 25%).

COUNTRY deaths (174) fell, but city fatalities (159) were up.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Pedro

National annual road toll falls
................police and governments still had work to do in getting the message through to drivers on country roads where speed limits are generally higher than in cities and roadside obstacles create additional risks.

I know they are pointing at DUI being a factor in this as well, so let's set that aside, and wonder if anyone (in power) ever stopped to think how many of these deaths on "country" roads are caused by fatigue. It is mind numbingly boring driving at 100km/h in a modern car, when 130 would mostly be as safe (especially on freeways/highways like the Hume etc), and the increased speed would mean people are actually on the road for a shorter time period, meaning less chance of fatigue and dying of boredom.

[JC]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

In Victoria despite a slight drop from the previous year:

MORE young people died on Victorian roads in 2007, with the number in the 18-25 age bracket rising from 64 to 82.

DEATHS in the 30-49 age bracket fell from 109 to 92 over the same period.

THE toll among the over-70s fell from 50 to 38.

COUNTRY deaths (174) fell, but city fatalities (159) were up.

The increase in P plate/youth deaths is called "natural selection". With all the drugs etc available these days (much more so then when I was the same age), I wonder how many of these deaths included a drug factor. My guess is more than their fair share.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by JC

The increase in P plate/youth deaths is called "natural selection". With all the drugs etc available these days (much more so then when I was the same age), I wonder how many of these deaths included a drug factor. My guess is more than their fair share.

That's one possibility, but up 29% in one year? its quite alarming really despite significant drops in all other age brackets? something isnt getting through, and its not like the licencing testing has suddenly gotten slacker in 1 year...

[GasoLane]

A few years ago there was a radio announcer/writer named Bill Tucky (is he still around?)

Bill pointed out that if you took into account the extra vehicles, along with more people with driving licenses, on the road each year, the actual road toll has gone through the basement!

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

That's one possibility, but up 29% in one year? its quite alarming really despite significant drops in all other age brackets? something isnt getting through, and its not like the licencing testing has suddenly gotten slacker in 1 year...

Could be more powerful cars (in their possestion) that have very poor handling, mixed with drivers who still dont know how to handle their cars?

[irlewy86]

Aren't statistics fun

Country deaths are higher.....
But what are the average weekly distances rural drivers cover as opposed to city residents

How many extra vehicles/drivers are on the road this year.

P plater deaths were high but what is the average age of the cars they own as opposed to other age groups

Just looking at the toll figure its hard to work out what measures are working and what aren't.

[Keepleft]

The 25% increase in NT figure arrives on the back of its new speed-limits (110km/h and 130km/h) implemented January 1, 2007, new red light cameras (to combat effectively one death every 5 years, well) demerits etc, its toll is a decade high result.

I do expect 2008 to see fewer NT deaths - 40 - 44 owing ongoing attention at the aboriginal communities.

[EgoFG]

I couldn't agree more !

Originally Posted by irlewy86

Aren't statistics fun
....

Just looking at the toll figure its hard to work out what measures are working and what aren't.

Country Km is not all that matters, how may fatalities, and how many cars is also interesting. I holiday seasons you could argue that the country cars have more seats occupied in each car.

Fatalities Vss Cars Vss Km would be an interesting figure.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

A few years ago there was a radio announcer/writer named Bill Tucky (is he still around?)

Bill pointed out that if you took into account the extra vehicles, along with more people with driving licenses, on the road each year, the actual road toll has gone through the basement!

Exactly!!!!
All these comparisons and statistics but they fail to give the most significant that being the % of fatalities to the number of road users.
You can drive down any roadway and notice the increase in usage compared to 10 or even 5yrs ago.
Built up area's+increased road usage+poor design/maintenance=inevitable accidents

[GORDZ]

well seeing as we're going so much better, which is a continuation of the trend mind you, are we goind to see a decrease of speeding fines?! seems fair to me.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by GORDZ

well seeing as we're going so much better, which is a continuation of the trend mind you, are we goind to see a decrease of speeding fines?! seems fair to me.

Yep. About the same time you see half of the speed cameras removed

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by Pedro

The total also dropped in Victoria where 333 died on state roads, including 13 in the final 10 days of the year

*sigh*
here comes more speed cameras........they obviously work :

[bob^]

"Of those killed on the state's roads in 2007, 54 were drink drivers - up from 32 in 2006."
54 were drunk and died, I wonder how many people died as a result of a drunk hitting them?

[Green X]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Exactly!!!!
All these comparisons and statistics but they fail to give the most significant that being the % of fatalities to the number of road users.
You can drive down any roadway and notice the increase in usage compared to 10 or even 5yrs ago.
Built up area's+increased road usage+poor design/maintenance=inevitable accidents

yes that's true

also
For 20 million people 1500 road deaths isn't a big number taking it all into consideration as a % it's nothing.

People dying on the road is never a good but you need to take a realistic view on road travel.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Exactly!!!!
All these comparisons and statistics but they fail to give the most significant that being the % of fatalities to the number of road users.
You can drive down any roadway and notice the increase in usage compared to 10 or even 5yrs ago.
Built up area's+increased road usage+poor design/maintenance=inevitable accidents

In the past 5 years australia's population has increased on average about 1% per year.....
According to the Bureau of stats our population is getting older, i.e there are less people being born... this trend has been going on for many years.. part of the reason for the baby bonus is to encourage us to breed more..
You may find the total size of the 18-25 age group is actually getting smaller... and the older age groups larger (number and % wise).
In any event the numbers are a comparrison with last year, things havent changed that much numbers wise in 1 year........ the %'s don't lie.

[4Vman]

Here's the stats for comparison by age group from 1987 to 2007, the 18-25 age bracket has shrunk over the past 20 years, i.e there are most likely allot less 18-25 yo's on the road today than there was in 1987... yet the rate of involvement in fatals has increased by 30% in the past 12 months alone..

[Walkinshaw]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Could be more powerful cars (in their possestion) that have very poor handling, mixed with drivers who still dont know how to handle their cars?

Oh god. You have a position waiting for you in the pedestrian council!

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Here's the stats for comparison by age group from 1987 to 2007, the 18-25 age bracket has shrunk over the past 20 years, i.e there are most likely allot less 18-25 yo's on the road today than there was in 1987... yet the rate of involvement in fatals has increased by 30% in the past 12 months alone..

While the graph shows the typical shift it doesn't actually show there are less 18-25 year olds on the road since 1987, we haven't had a negative growth rate in this country so its highly unlikely there are less drivers on the road now.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Here's the stats for comparison by age group from 1987 to 2007, the 18-25 age bracket has shrunk over the past 20 years, i.e there are most likely allot less 18-25 yo's on the road today than there was in 1987... yet the rate of involvement in fatals has increased by 30% in the past 12 months alone..

Thats a fancy set of statistics but it is not representitive of the current conditions that dictate the road death toll or usage.

As you would know when we were in our late teens the main form of transport was either a pushy, your feet or public transport.
Only well off youngsters had cars.
Drive past a school these days and most cars in the carpark have 'p' plates displayed, not something that was common 20yrs ago.
Drive down any major road and there are 'p' plates everywhere, one time it was seen as a priveledge to drive, now it's considered a right.
I can recall 10yrs ago when i could go from my neighbourhood to the city in 20mins, today it takes 40mins because of congestion.
25yrs ago car manufacturers made a hundred thousand units per year if that, enough to supply the demand, today they pump out twice as many and i doubt they sit around rusting away.
Kids are more daring these days and the opportunity for error is greater.

They are the real statistics

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Thats a fancy set of statistics but it is not representitive of the current conditions that dictate the road death toll or usage.

As you would know when we were in our late teens the main form of transport was either a pushy, your feet or public transport.
Only well off youngsters had cars.
Drive past a school these days and most cars in the carpark have 'p' plates displayed, not something that was common 20yrs ago.
Drive down any major road and there are 'p' plates everywhere, one time it was seen as a priveledge to drive, now it's considered a right.
I can recall 10yrs ago when i could go from my neighbourhood to the city in 20mins, today it takes 40mins because of congestion.
25yrs ago car manufacturers made a hundred thousand units per year if that, enough to supply the demand, today they pump out twice as many and i doubt they sit around rusting away.
Kids are more daring these days and the opportunity for error is greater.

They are the real statistics

When i was 18 ALL my friends got their licence, i don't know anyone who didnt either have their licence or licence and a car by the time they were just past 18.... the reason you see more P Plates now than years gone by is because you have to display them for allot longer, we only had to display them for 12 months...
There are more cars on the roads now because we have an ageing population, the average age is rising... these cars are driven by older people who are making up a greater % of drivers now than 20 years ago
There are most likely either less or if you factor in mild population growth roughly the same amount of 18-25 yo's on the road now than there was 20 years ago, the stats show this.
Check out what the graph is showing, its quite a dramatic change over the past 20 years.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

In Victoria
COUNTRY deaths (174) fell, but city fatalities (159) were up.

You said it yourself^^^^^^
The problem the way i see it is that the influx of extra cars on the road has outgrown the capacity of the infrastructure that supports them and people become aggitated and take risks that 20yrs ago weren't there.
This is more noticable at holiday periods when even more people travel, hence the crackdowns by authorities

I'm not concerned with the age brackets, more young people being killed can easily be related to the increased risks they take in the form of either drugs,alcohol or the need to 'out do' their mates.

The point is that if you compared the number of road users in 1987 to 2007 there will be much more drivers using the road now.
Then compare the number of fatalities then to now and you will see that there are less people killed per 1000drivers now than 20yrs ago.

I guess the number of 'p' platers making themselves obvious through their driving styles may make them more noticible.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

You said it yourself^^^^^^
The problem the way i see it is that the influx of extra cars on the road has outgrown the capacity of the infrastructure that supports them and people become aggitated and take risks that 20yrs ago weren't there.
This is more noticable at holiday periods when even more people travel, hence the crackdowns by authorities

I'm not concerned with the age brackets, more young people being killed can easily be related to the increased risks they take in the form of either drugs,alcohol or the need to 'out do' their mates.

The point is that if you compared the number of road users in 1987 to 2007 there will be much more drivers using the road now.
Then compare the number of fatalities then to now and you will see that there are less people killed per 1000drivers now than 20yrs ago.

I guess the number of 'p' platers making themselves obvious through their driving styles may make them more noticible.

I agree on allot of what you've said, but congestion is a secondary issue caused by infrastructure being placed and concentrated in one place at the end of freeways, look at Melbourne.. all roads lead to the city then come to a grinding halt.. more and more business's are locating in the CBD, business buildings are climbing out of the ground at a rapid rate meaning more and more people have to travel there to work.. The Govt's need to look at ways of dispersing infrastructure back away from CBD's and into the burbs (where it used to be) where the people live. However.. i doubt people are dying from accidents at 2kph in traffic congestion, i think you've pointed out some of the real reasons.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by JC

The increase in P plate/youth deaths is called "natural selection". With all the drugs etc available these days (much more so then when I was the same age), I wonder how many of these deaths included a drug factor. My guess is more than their fair share.

Seen or heard (cant remember) a survey the other day where 60% of the people surveyed said they drove or have driven under the influence of drugs. Bit of a worrying statistic if true.

[BENT_8]

We have a notorious black spot here in SA and most SA members could account for this.
Its a stretch from willunga to Victor Harbour, a tourist and holiday destination.
In the last 20yrs there have been too many fatalities to mention.
Most of them are related to conditions not drugs or speed but decision making.
They haven't put more speed cameras on that road or run bretho's more often but there has been much talk about making it a dual carriageway because the demands on it have outgrown it's original design.
They have put in overtaking lanes to help reduce the long lines of aggitated drivers following slow caravaners, which is the scenario behind many of the crashes.