Economic changes and transport exposure relevant to proper explanation of figures
More work needs to be done on the context of fatal heavy vehicle crash statistics to gain a clearer picture of what they mean, according to VicRoads.
Victoria has fared worse than other states recently, the latest Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) figures show.
The result, part of an unwelcome trend reversal nationally, was a cause of concerned general comment by the Victorian Transport Association (VTA).
But VicRoads director network policy and standards Andrew Wall notes that the numbers come at a time when there are more heavy vehicles on the road and that wider developments that may illuminate the raw figures are yet to be examined.
“Information released in January 2014 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Motor Vehicle Census show a growing trend of rigid and articulated truck registrations in the eastern seaboard states of Australia over the past five years,” Wall says.
“The explanation of heavy vehicle crashes on Victorian roads requires the consideration of a number of factors, including economic changes and travel exposure.
“No recent studies have been undertaken by the crash research facilities in Australia to examine these trends.
“With the exception of 2014, VicRoads’ data shows a downward trend in fatalities for rigid vehicles involved in crashes over the past five years.
“Fatalities involving articulated vehicles dip and rise slightly across the past five years, with the exception of 2013 being half of the average number.”
ATN has asked BITRE whether it would consider adding contextual detail to its raw figures and a response is awaited.