An investigation of light vehicle fleet safety in South Australia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal data on work-related road crashes in Australia are limited. Available data indicate a significant number of work-related fatal and serious crashes. Fleet vehicles are assumed to account for a large proportion of work-related driving. Aims: To estimate the size of the burden of fleet-related fatal and serious crashes involving light vehicles in South Australia. Data: Fatal and serious crashes that occurred over a five-year period in South Australia. Fleet vehicles were identified using the vehicle identification number. RESULTS: There were 290 light fleet vehicles involved in 282 fatal and serious crashes. The drivers and passengers of the fleet vehicles sustained 181 casualties. An occupant of a fleet vehicle was most severely injured in 25.5% of multiple party crashes. The drivers of fleet vehicles were responsible for the crash in 38.2% of multiple party crashes. Light vehicle fleet-related fatalities make up one-third of all South Australian work-related road fatalities.