FACTS

• Road trauma is a difficult and complex issue. It causes a ripple effect of loss and grief that extends throughout communities.
• Those affected by road trauma include not only those involved in the crash, but also their family, their close friends and those attending such as emergency service workers.
• Risk driving behaviours include speeding, drink driving, driving under the influence of licit and illicit drugs, fatigue and not using seat belts and restraints.
• Licit substances include alcohol, prescription medications and inhalant misuse and illicit substances include illegal drugs.
• Substance abuse can be defined as the use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.
• United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime http://www.unodc.org/
• United Nations Publication: Get The Facts About Drugs http://www.unodc.org/documents/drugs/getthefacts_E.pdf
• United Nations Publication: Terminology and Information on Drugs http://www.unodc.org/pdf/publications/report_2003-09-01_1.pdf

STATISTICS

• Approximately 1,600 fatalities and 50,000 injuries occur on Australian roads every year.
• For every road death it has been estimated that an average of 13 people are significantly affected.
• Young people aged 17 to 25 years are at a higher risk of crashing than older drivers because of inexperience and a tendency to take part in risk taking behaviour.
• The NSW Government Motor Accidents Authority claims cognitive, attitudinal, behavioural and cultural and social factors make young people more susceptible to being involved in road crashes.