Road Safety
Indicator Rationale
It is important that our roads are safe for all users, as a sustainable community is one that has many integrated transport options so that residents are not forced to rely on the car. It is important however that increased levels of walking activity do not lead to higher numbers of pedestrian and cycling casualties. Despite increased motor vehicle use, Australia has made considerable gains in reducing deaths and injuries from motor vehicle accidents by introducing legislation for compulsory seat belt requirements, the installation of red light and speed cameras, upgrading roads improvements to vehicle designs (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2004) and enforcing drink driving laws. The number of road fatalities per 100,000 residents is used as an indicator in many national and international indicator suites, including in the State of the Environment Report (Human Settlements) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Measures of Australia's Progress.
Data Source
ABS Cat No. 1301.0, March 2007
Measures
Road traffic fatalities per 100,000 population: rates of road accident deaths per 100,000 per year. Based on the International Classification of Deaths, Edition 10 (ICD-10), data are based on death occurring up to one year following a transport accident involving motor vehicles driven on public roads, and including riders of animals, agricultural equipment, all-terrain vehicles, industrial and construction vehicles, and unspecified transport accidents.
Road traffic major injuries per 100,000 population: rates of road accident "major" injuries per 100,000 per year: Major injuries have been recorded, meaning that victims have been injured and admitted to hospital.
Reference
