Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) crash database does not identify Aboriginal status, so it has been difficult to understand the extent of involvement of Aboriginal people in road traffic crashes in NSW. A recent project linking Coronial data with Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) crash data has enabled a preliminary analysis of Aboriginal fatalities1.
The resulting report found that rate of fatality of Aboriginal people in crashes in NSW was lower than for other States, but it is not known whether this is due to underreporting of Aboriginal status in NSW.
There was, however, good evidence that several factors are involved in more crashes involving Aboriginal fatalities in NSW compared to crashes involving non-Aboriginal fatalities. These include:
• Heavy intoxication at the time of the crash;
• Non-wearing of seatbelts; and
• Pedestrian deaths.
These results will inform targeted road safety campaigns.
The report: Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority), NSW (2010) Preliminary Assessment of Aboriginal Fatalities on NSW Roads: From 2000 to 2009 can be accessed below.
Bring the mob home safely.