Truck crashes in Western Australia 1988 - 1992

The purpose of this study was to explore the relevant literature and available data on truck crashes for Western Australia. The review revealed that a number of features of crashes involving trucks distinguish them from crashes involving other vehicles. Data on truck crashes in Western Australia were obtained for the years 1988-1992 from the Road Injury Database. Rear end crashes, crashes involving parked trucks, road train crashes, single vehicle crashes, and the involvement of fatigue in truck crashes, were considered in detail. The findings corroborate the main findings of other researchers who have been interested in truck crashes and add to what is known of truck crashes in Western Australia. The study concluded that crashes in rigid trucks predominate in the Perth region whereas crashes in articulated trucks predominate in the rural and remote region, reflecting differences in the use of different types of trucks in these areas. The rate of crash involvement per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled outside of Perth increased with the number of trailers in use. Rear end crashes were the most common type of truck crash and in most cases the truck was the colliding vehicle. Single vehicle crashes tended to occur in the rural and remote regions, as did road train crashes. These were associated with a high risk of injury to truck drivers. Fatigue was associated with 20 percent of road train crashes and 17 percent of single vehicle crashes. Fatigue related crashes tended to occur at night, to be related to alcohol and vehicle factors and to occur in the rural and remote regions. The report recommends a review of truck braking systems, truck operations and schedules, and truck construction and stability. A need for practical restraint systems for truck occupants was also identified, as was the need to investigate the high risk of fatality amongst truck drivers involved in road train casualty crashes. (a)