Motor vehicle accidents

The motor vehicle accident is the greatest single cause of accidental death in Australia, with about one-third of all accidental deaths occurring on the roads. Conservative estimates suggest that the annual cost of motor vehicle accidents in Australia (including costs such as medical treatment, workplace absence and vehicle replacement or repair) is about $17 billion.

Every year, about 400 Victorians die on our roads and a further 6,000 need hospital treatment for injuries.

Types of transport accident
Studies show that seven main types of transport accident cause over half of all road trauma. These include:

• A car colliding with another vehicle such as a car, truck or van
• A car colliding with a stationary object such as a tree
• A motorcycle crash that does not involve a collision, such as a fall
• A bicycle crash that does not involve a collision, such as a fall
• A car involved in a non-collision accident such as a rollover
• A rider of an animal (for example, a person on horseback) involved in a non-collision accident such as getting bucked off
• A pedestrian hit by a car, truck or van.

• Young people (aged less than 30 years) account for over half (52%) of road trauma victims.
• Males are more than twice as likely as females to be injured in a motor vehicle accident, mainly because most motorcyclists and bicyclists are male.
• Compared to car drivers, motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to incur a serious injury on the road.
• In most cases, a person involved in a motor vehicle accident has more than one injury.
• About one-third of serious injuries are life threatening.
• Motor vehicle accidents cause about half of all spinal injury cases.
• The most common injuries for car occupants, including drivers and passengers, involve the head and chest.
• The most common injuries for motorcyclists involve the shoulders, legs and arms.
• The most common injuries for bicyclists involve the shoulders, arms and head.
• The most common injuries for pedestrians involve the head and legs.

• Category 1 – a life-threatening situation; the person must be treated immediately
• Category 2 – the person must be treated within 10 minutes
• Category 3 – the person must be treated within 30 minutes
• Category 4 – the person must be treated within an hour
• Category 5 – the person must be treated within two hours.

• Flashbacks
• Sleeping problems
• Anxiety
• Guilt
• Grief
• Depression.

• Reduction in drinking and driving due to public awareness of random breath-testing
• Increased presence of ‘booze buses’ on the roads
• Reduction of freeway speed limits from 110kph to 100kph
• Upgrades to road systems, including improvements to accident ‘black spot’ areas
• Introduction of speed cameras and red light cameras
• Advertising campaigns about road safety
• Introduction of road safety laws, such as the bicycle helmet law
• Improved safety features in cars, including seatbelts and airbags
• Upgrading of compulsory seatbelt legislation coupled with education and enforcement.

• Obey road rules.
• Don’t drive after drinking alcohol, taking drugs or some prescription medications, or when you’re tired.
• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Maintain your vehicle in good condition.
• Always wear protective gear including a helmet, a long-sleeved jacket, long trousers and sturdy shoes if you ride a motorbike or push bike.
• Cross the road carefully when you’re on foot. Use traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing whenever possible.
• Teach your children about road safety.

• Your doctor
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• Always call an ambulance in a medical emergency Tel. 000
• Road Trauma Support Services Victoria Tel. 1300 367 797
• Transport Accident Commission Tel. 1300 654 329

• About one-third of all accidental deaths occur on the roads, making motor vehicle accidents the greatest single cause of accidental death in Australia.
• Every year, about 400 Victorians die on our roads and a further 6,000 need hospital treatment for road trauma injuries.
• About one-third of serious injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents are life threatening.

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