The victorian study of single vehicle rural accidents was a joint initiative of the victorian road traffic authority, road construction authority and the transport accident commission. The aim of the project was to increase understanding of single vehicle accidents, particularly the roles of roadside objects, vehicle speed and driver fatigue in such accidents. The factors identified as most commonly contributing to accidents were trees close to the traffic lanes and the presence of unsealed shoulders. Driver fatigue was also identified as a major problem. (Author/TRRL)

A study is being carried out in Victoria aimed at investigating single vehicle rural accidents. Special interests of the study are the roles of roadside objects, vehicle speed and driver fatigue in such accidents. This report describes the project and its aims, outlines the study procedures, presents results from the first six months of data collection and describes the proposed future of the project. The report is an interim report and so the results and conclusions described should be treated with caution. Data concerning 61 accidents are presented; these accidents included eight fatal accidents and all accidents involved at least one person being treated at hospital. Forty eight of the accidents investigated involved a collision with a fixed object, the most common object being a tree. In 17 cases the driver reported that he or she had fallen asleep before the accident occurred. Accident data collection will continue until July 1988 and a final report will be produced (Author/TRRL). Research cosponsored by road construction authority and Victoria. Transport accident commission.