Citation

Wundersitz LN, Burns NR. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2004; 8(1).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Using South Australian data, this study aimed to examine relationships between prior crash and traffic offence history and driver culpability for fatal crashes. The crash and traffic offence history of each driver was tracked for five years prior to the fatal crash. The number and type of prior crashes and traffic offences for culpable and non-culpable drivers were compared to identify any differences related to driver culpability. Driver and fatal crash characteristics were also analysed by culpability status to determine whether different populations of drivers were involved. Drivers culpable for a multiple vehicle fatal crash were more likely than non-culpable drivers to have been aged less than 25 years or over 75 years, to have consumed alcohol before the crash, and to have been killed in the crash. Culpable drivers appeared to be more likely to have had a prior drink driving offence than non-culpable drivers although few drivers actually had a prior drink driving offence. Prior crash involvement was not found to be associated with multiple vehicle fatal crash culpability.