Key Points
- There has been a 6.3 per cent increase in deaths on Australian roads in the 12 months to 30 November 2023.
- Small mistakes while driving can cause fatal crashes.
- Speed and the types of cars involved in accidents can affect the severity of serious crashes.
Some 1,253 people have died on our roads this year — the deadliest 12-month period in five years.
Figures from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics released on Monday showed a 6.3 per cent increase in deaths on the roads in the 12 months to 30 November 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period.
South Australia recorded the biggest increase with a 61.4 per cent jump in fatalities, followed by NSW with a 23.8 per cent rise and Victoria up 14.5 per cent.
Deadly incidents were down in all other states and territories.
With more people on the roads during the Christmas and New Year holiday period, authorities have appealed to drivers to do all they can to keep themselves and their passengers safe.
The factor most common in road accidents
It's a common misconception that the majority of incidents are caused by younger drivers, according to Tracey Slatter, the CEO of Victoria's Transport Accident Commission.
She said focusing on demographics shifts the focus from what actually plays a role in many fatal crashes.
"Across the board, we see speed as the critical factor in road trauma," Slatter said.
She encouraged drivers to slow down and drive to the conditions.
"The speed limit isn't a target speed, it's a limit and the conditions and the circumstances mean that often you need to drive at a speed lower than the speed limit."
One of the most common contributing factors in car accidents is speed. Source: AAP / Darren England
Complacency and 'everyday mistakes'
All road users should be less complacent, said Bernadette Nugent, the CEO of Amber Community, formerly known as Road Trauma Support Services Victoria.
"I think sometimes we can make assumptions that it's the people at the worst end of offending on the road [contributing to fatal crashes], so people who are driving at excessive speeds or are influenced by drugs and alcohol," Nugent said.
Nugent said what she described as "normal, everyday mistakes" also contributed to the road toll statistics.
"That includes lower level drunk driving and people who are over the limit, by just a little bit ... and low-level speeding even a couple, 2 or 3 kilometres over the speed limit, does increase your chances of an accident but also increases the severity of the accident," she said.
Earlier this month, the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) encouraged motorists in the lead-up to Christmas to drive to suit the conditions and take regular breaks. It also urged them not to drive while tired or use a mobile phone while behind the wheel.
It said that while passengers should not distract a driver, they could act as a useful "second pair of eyes" on the road.
How safe is your car?
Slatter said the type of cars people travelled in could make a difference to their chances of survival in a crash.
"The thing that we think is most important is that people try to buy the safest car that they can and the ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) rating system rates cars," she said.
"We certainly encourage people to buy a five-star ANCAP-rated vehicle.
"Not all vehicles, even brand new vehicles have a five-star rating."
"Whether it's a second-hand car or a new car, try and buy a car that has a five-star ANCAP rating, that is the safest vehicle you can buy, regardless of whether it's an SUV or a smaller vehicle.”
Authorities are concerned the 2023 road toll could be considerably higher than 2022, with the number of deaths in the 12 months to 20 November already much higher than the previous year. Source: AAP / Darren Walton
Driver behaviour has long-lasting consequences
NSW Premier Chris Minns said heading into the busy Christmas period there was concern that the road toll would increase further.
He implored people to slow down and warned that in NSW, would apply for those caught breaking the law on roads. Drivers in some other states will face similar penalties.
"Best case scenario is that you lose your license, the worst case scenario is that you kill yourself or a loved one or someone you've never met before," Minns said.
"So, consequences are real, it will devastate families, no one wants to see it."
Nugent, whose organisation works to support those affected by road trauma said there were not adequate words to describe the impact that losing a loved one in a fatal crash has on families and communities.
“For people who have suffered serious injury, life changes, often forever because often people can't go back to the jobs that they used to do, or simple day-to-day tasks that we take for granted, people can't do anymore," she said.
"It's a huge adjustment when family and friends need to step in and people are becoming carers and so their jobs are lost as well, so what we see is that ripple effect, because becomes far and wide.”
- With the Australian Associated Press.
