Recent research shows that a third Australians break the speed limit or disobey road rules, risking high fines, stressing the importance of weeks like National Road Safety Week (May 14-21, 2023).
Research by Road Trauma Support Group NSW, published on May 7 this year, shows that criminal road trauma impacts 253,000 people or four per cent of the NSW population, costing the state $9 billion.
Member of RTSGNSW Duncan Wakes-Miller has said that the research provides recommendations on how governments and community can work together to reduce the re-traumatisation of victims’ families and introduce measures to keep dangerous drivers off the road.
National Road Safety Week 2023, May 14-21.
Research and surveys also voiced findings around community attitudes towards ‘acceptable risks’, revealing 25% of people believe road rules are subjective.
Additionally, in regional areas, 12% believe it’s okay to get a lift from someone who should not be driving as an alarming acceptance for drink-driving.
According to a recent Compare the Market survey*, there has been a 10.8% increase in road fatalities this January compared to January of 2022 due to speeding.
In the survey, it was found that the age demographic most likely to speed was Baby Boomers with 38%, Gen X with 32%, Millennials with 28% and Gen Z with 27%.
Men were shown to be 36% more likely to speed than women, that were shown to be only 28%.
“Men are also more likely to be fatally injured in a car crash than women, this is because they may be bigger risk takers,” Compare the Market’s General Manger of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor said.
The survey showed that Gen Z, while least likely to speed, were most likely to stop in a no-stopping zone (14%), park in a no parking zone (10%), drive without headlights on (6%), run a red light (5%) and park in a disabled car park (2%).
“Statistically, a person is more than six times more likely to crash while they’re in their younger years of driving,” Adrian Taylor said.
“You might think that you’re totally in control of your car while speeding, but the reality is if you’re going faster than the other cars on the road, you’re putting your life and other people’s lives in danger.
“Over a thousand people died on our nation's roads last year, and the numbers keep climbing higher and higher.”
The previous research by Road Trauma Support Group NSW presented that 62% of people are in support of charging drivers with vehicular manslaughter if they kill someone due to criminal acts and 73% saying they believe punishments for driving on drugs should be harsher.
People impacted by road trauma are more likely to return to work too early, suffer prolonged mental health problems compared with other victims of crimes.
Those who have been affected by road trauma can find support at www.roadtraumasupportnsw.org or call 1800 808 384.
*Survey was conducted with 1,010 participants.