Prepared 22/12/08

Introductory Module:

Setting the Scene – Speeding

Young drivers

Causes of deathages 15-19 years, NSW 2005

Cause of Death, Ages 15 to 19 Years, NSW, 2005

Accidental Deaths

49%Other

(Suicide, Cancer etc)

51%

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Causes of deathages 15-19 years, NSW 2005

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Factors contributing to fatal crashes for drivers

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Drivers Involved In Fatal Crashes, 2004 to 2006, Factors by Age of Driver

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NSWCRS/RTA crash lab video. Click to play movie

Speeding the facts

In NSW speeding is a factor in about 40 per cent of road deaths. This means around 200 people die each year from speed related crashes in NSW.

Speeding was a factor in the deaths of 1049 people over the five years 2002–2006. In addition to those killed, more than 4700 people are injured in speed-related crashes each year.

The cost of speeding is not only a human one. Speed-related crashes cost the community around $780 million each year.

Crash risks

Speeding increases the risk of a crash and the severity of the crash outcome.

The risk of causing death or injury in an urban 60km/h speed zone increases rapidly even with relatively small increases in speed.

The crash risk at 65km/h is about twice the risk at 60km/h. At 70km/h, the crash risk is more than four times the risk at 60km/h.

Speed – km/h Riskrelative to 60 km/h:

65km/h - Double 70km/h - 4 times 75km/h - 11 times 80km/h - 32 times

What are the consequences?

NSWCRS/RTA video film clip: Speeding – the single most critical risk factor for young drivers. Click to play movie

Discussion questions

1. What are the main messages you

get from the video?

2. Why do you think people speed?

3. What are some of the

consequences of speed?

4. How can we start to change

drivers’ attitudes towards speed?

Consequences

• Every road death brings massive personal tragedy for family, friends & colleagues

• Every road death = 50 road injuries

• 8 of those 50 injuries = serious, permanent disability (brain, spinal, lost limbs).

• Each serious injury has long-term emotional and monetary costs both directly & in terms of lost income

• Road death costs 3.6 billion in NSW annually

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As a driver or passenger, what can I do if a driver is speeding?

• assertive behaviour

• safe choices

• Total road deaths… DOWN

• SPEED-related deaths… DOWN

• Deaths from crashes involving young drivers or riders

… DOWN

The good news:

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