Work-related road fatalities in Australia, 1982–1984

Abstract

A study of work-related fatalities, based on coroners' records, has provided national data on work-related road fatalities. A total of 1,544 work-related fatalities were identified over 1982–1984. Of these, 600 (39%) resulted from injuries sustained in road vehicle accidents on public roads; 366 (24%) in the course of work, and 234 (15%) while commuting between home and work. These figures are likely to underestimate work-related road fatalities because the coroners' records often did not contain the required information. The incidence of road fatalities declined slightly over the three years, although the proportion amongst all work-related fatalities remained constant. The at-work victims tended to be older than victims of road death generally. Fifty-six percent of the at-work cases were in the occupational group “drivers, road transport”. Articulated trucks accounted for 41% of the at-work cases. Drivers made up 79% of the at-work group. In contrast, drivers accounted for only 38% of all road deaths. Two-thirds of the at-work road fatalities occurred outside capital city districts, the proportion of nonmetropolitan cases being highest for deaths involving articulated trucks. This is striking, in view of Australia's highly urbanised population. Blood alcohol data were available for 76% of the at-work cases and 79% of the commuting fatalities. Of these, 15% and 13%, respectively, had a blood alcohol of 0.05 g 100mL or more. In contrast, 6% of other workplace fatalities for which blood alcohol data were available had such levels. This difference may reflect more assiduous blood- alcohol testing of road-accident victims. While there is some difficulty in interpreting such data because of the lack of denominators or information on those at risk, the results highlight possible priority areas for preventive action; in particular, trucks (especially articulated trucks), transport occupations, nonmetropolitan areas, long-distance driving, nighttime driving, and alcohol use.