Siale, Viliami Peila (2024) Analysis of 2022 worst road fatalities in a decade in Tasmania. [USQ Project]
Abstract
A loss of life in road fatality costs the Tasmanian community deeply and 51 road fatalities in 2022 was above the decade average of 21 and unacceptable. This research project analysed the 2022 road fatalities to determine what contributing factors involved and the prevention of this recurring in the future. The research project combined crash data analyses and literature review to understand how others have dealt with rise in road fatalities and what lessons to be learned. The literature review indicated the number of vehicles and road users as primary factors, and several prediction models were developed. Tasmanian vehicle and road user numbers did not spike in 2022 so the current method could not explain the sudden rise in the 2022 road fatalities. The current method also excluded the road and this gap in the current method disqualified it from this research. The literature review also showed that direct analyses of recorded crash data known as Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) had been employed for analyses of road fatality trends. After obtaining access to the 2022 crash data, the FARS methodology was adopted. The FARS analyses showed that Lane Departure crashes were the predominant crashes, which was consistent with the literature, with contributing factors including driver behaviour, speed, road surface conditions, light conditions, and horizontal alignment. From the analyses, neither road defects nor any of these factors directly contributed to the 2022 road fatalities but mainly due to driver behaviour for unexplained reasons although motorists were familiar with the road at crash sites. The research then investigated unique events in 2022 that affected driver performance. Compulsory vaccinations were imposed on the community in 2022 to contain COVID-19 and allowed the lifting of restrictions. Motorists became vulnerable under the influence of COVID-19 vaccines but being familiar with the road network, engaged in risk taking activities, which led to crashes. The analyses also identified significant number of unforgiving crash sites, which may not have prevented the crashes but impacted on the consequences, being fatal. Whilst the safety of the road network depends on the four elements of the Road Safety System, each element exists and managed as separate entity, considering what is best for itself, even to the detriment of other elements and subsequent failure of the entire system. Therefore, this research proposes the integration of Road Safety System elements as key for prevention of future spikes in road fatalities.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Somasundaraswaran, Soma |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Mar 2026 03:56 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Mar 2026 03:56 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | road fatality; prevention; Tasmania; 2022 |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53163 |
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