Uni researchers working to curb State's road toll

The Centre for Automobile Safety Research is presenting its second seminar on Friday 12 June on major causes of road accidents.
Photo by Mark Trumble

Thursday, 11 June 2009

A multidisciplinary team of engineers, psychologists and medical officers is working behind the scenes at the University of Adelaide to help reduce the State's horrific road toll.

To date, 62 people have been killed on South Australian roads this year, including 19 in May alone - the worst monthly statistic in at least five years.

To help raise awareness of the dangers on our roads, the Centre for Automobile Safety Research (CASR) at the University of Adelaide is presenting its second public seminar this Friday 12 June in a series of talks to address major causes of road accidents.

CASR Research Officer Sam Doecke will explain the work his team carries out at accident sites to collect critical data for research purposes.

The seminar, titled "At-Scene In-Depth Crash Investigation", will focus on CASR's investigative methods, including examining driver behaviour, road infrastructure, weather conditions, the surrounding environment and the vehicles involved.

CASR researchers have attended hundreds of car accidents, working independently of the police to collect data which throws light on the causes of crashes.

"We look at a whole range of factors when we attend car accidents because, contrary to common belief, it is not always the driver's fault. Most cases have several contributing factors, not just one thing," Mr Doecke says.

"The police data helps us to find out how common certain accidents are, and the in-depth investigations that we carry out help us to define exactly what is happening in different types of crashes."

The seminar is being held in the Art Gallery of South Australia Auditorium from 4pm-5.30pm. It is free, but people are asked to register their attendance by phoning Leonie Witter on +61 8 8303 4114 or email leonie.witter@adelaide.edu.au

WHAT: At-Scene In-Depth Crash Investigation free public seminar
WHEN: 4pm-5.30pm, Friday 12 June
WHERE: Art Gallery of South Australia Auditorium

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