Thread: Road toll rises

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

Actually deaths on country roads are predominantly locals. I see drink as the main factor. Very little random breath testing done in rural Queensland. I have seen this myself. Any small station that gets a new copper who starts testing the locals soon has numerous complaints made in the ear of local members, district inspectors, etc. complaining about over zealous enforcement and calling for him to be transferred. Locals seem to think that the drink driving laws don't apply in the country.

Not down here. Plenty of HWP / Chasers and a very proactive D&A testing campaign.

Interesting that they conclude fatigue is the primary cause of these country single car accidents.

Only yesterday morning I was listening to a discussion on the radio with an expert from the medical side of things. he was absolutely unequivocal in stating that 40% of all road accidents (and deaths) involve alcohol. Considering that random breath testing never results in detecting illegal alcohol levels at rates even as high as 1%, it is absolutely clear that this is by far the principal factor in road accidents. What he was proposing was a zero blood alcohol level. Personally, I doubt this would make a significant difference - most breath tests that detect any alcohol seem to be in the moderate to high range. (Obviously this commentary was inspired by the accident that killed four children, where the driver allegedly had a BAC of 0.15%)

There is another couple of problems with this analysis - "Country roads with limits above 80 km/h are the most dangerous". I have news for city dwellers - about 98% of country road have limits above 80kph! The statement is meaningless.

A more important issue is the whole concept of attributing accidents to a single cause. Accidents never have a single "cause", but require a number of factors. For example, I think of a fatal accident site I pass every day I go to town. It occurred at 0100, so is likely to involve fatigue. I am pretty certain it involved alcohol. It almost certainly involved speed. It definitely involved loose gravel on the edge of the bitumen. It was on a moderate bend aft a two kilometre straight which is not signposted. And the car hit a large tree - next to the road, with no guard rail. What was the "cause"?

Somewhat on topic, the Golden Highway has been closed for a month a few km from here while the road was decontaminated and rebuilt after a B-double tanker rolled and lost 30,000l of fuel. It happened on a bend after a long straight about 0500 after driving several hundred kilometres. The "cause"? Fatigue? Fuel terminal congestion? Pressure on driver? Vehicle defect? Road construction (road is only barely up to standard for B-doubles - too narrow, often gravel on edges)?

Originally Posted by Tombie

Not down here. Plenty of HWP / Chasers and a very proactive D&A testing campaign.

Same in WA plus EVERY public holiday attracts double demerit points which seems to be a good deterrent for bad driving behaviour.
Fatigue is reasonably well addressed in the trucking industry But Nothing is in place to combat this for private drivers, Education is the Key here.

Re Wheels COTY, see John Cadogan's recent video. Also his comment on 4X4 Australia's 4WD of the Year - a Jeep!

The other significant factor for more deaths on rural roads is that (unlike in the city), medical care is less likely to be available in the critical first hour after a crash.

I am just waiting for a road death from kids riding mini bikes around here. (Valley)
Silly kids riding flat out with little to no gear on, on roads!
Only 2 days ago a couple of kids (16ish and users) were on a quad flying around.
Rider pushes the passenger off! Getting his ankle stuck in the rear axle and snapping his ankle clean.
In front of my house no less.
Then rides off and leaves his "mate" on the road! I **** you not!

Interesting side fact, Ambos (gotta love em) were here in minutes to attend to the silly kid.
Cops took over an hr!

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

The other significant factor for more deaths on rural roads is that (unlike in the city), medical care is less likely to be available in the critical first hour after a crash.

They are onto that,some vehicles notify the authorities once air bags are deployed,which will help.

Fatigue isn’t just from driving long distances,many are way to tired before they get behind the wheel.

Working long hours,up all night with sick kids,insomnia,the causes go on and on.

As I said in another post on here,one of my boys fell asleep at a set of traffic lights.Only after that happened we made changes.

But yes it’s up to people being responsible.

Cars are very comfortable these days,as well,which doesn’t help.

It would be pretty difficult to fall asleep behind the wheel of the Series 1

Originally Posted by scarry

The things i see drivers do around town,and in rural areas,causing so many near misses, on the roads, is absolutely amazing.
Just dumb stupid things.

In fact they are doing roadworks near our place at the moment,and the council have well signed directions,bollards,etc.
Twice in the last few days i have seen drivers completely confused and driving on the wrong side of the road,in the middle of the day.

On a different subject,

"In 20 years the ICE vehicles will be dying out and the market will be dominated by EVs."

Bit of a bold statement there,no sign of that happening in many places,particularly in Aus.
In fact sales of EV's in many countries are not increasing at all.
Or if they are,its a few % a year,which is negligible.

We're behind. Boris Johnson wants the UK to phase out diesel and petrol vehicles by 2035. Others are aiming for 2040. It's going to happen.

Boris Johnson urges major economies to go carbon neutral by 2050

Boris Johnson urges major economies to go carbon neutral by 2050 | Environment | The Guardian