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| MUARC home | About MUARC | Reports | Projects | VISU | Links | Contact MUARC |
| Monash Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
Media ReleaseAttention: News editors/Transport reporters - 17 February 2006 Tasmanian road safety in the spotlightTasmania's Road Safety Task Force today is visiting the internationally renowned Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in Melbourne to discuss future road safety strategies. The chairman of the Road Safety Task Force, Mr Paul Hogan, said the delegation was keen to learn the latest behavioural research into road safety issues, particularly relating to speeding and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "We are also interested in developments with regard to targeting young people through public education and enforcement," Mr Hogan said. "Seven people have already died on Tasmanian roads in the first six weeks of 2006 - any road death is unacceptable, but seven in just six weeks is simply tragic. Whether on the highway or around school zones, driver behaviour is the key issue – more than 90 per cent of crashes are due to bad driver behaviour,’’ he said. MUARC is Australia’s largest research institute specialising in the study of injury prevention and safety science. Many of the centre’s researchers are experts in the road safety field, from driver distraction and fatigue to the impact of enforcement such as speed cameras and “booze buses”. The director of MUARC, Professor Ian Johnston, said the centre was delighted to be able to share with the taskforce its experience of working with road safety strategies in other states and internationally. The task force, reports through its public education campaigns, supports the work of the Tasmanian Road Safety Council, of which MUARC’s Chair of Road Safety, Professor Brian Fildes, is a member. The Road Safety Task Force also met the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, Victoria Police and Vic Roads during its Melbourne visit. Mr Hogan said the knowledge gained from the visit would assist in developing their objectives. Visit MUARC at http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/ and the Tasmanian Road Safety Task Force at http://www.rstf.tas.gov.au/home.html Mr Paul Hogan is available for interview on 0418 130 454. For further information, contact Ms Allison Harding, MUARC media communications officer on 9905 1255 or 0419 302 520. |