Annual Report 2009(PDF) - Road Safety Authority

Road Safety Research
The Research Department of the Road Safety Authority carries out a programme of work
specified in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012. The department covers the following
key areas:
• Maintenance of the road collision database and data
system;
• In-depth analysis of collision data;
• Production of statistical reports on road collisions in
Ireland;
• Survey of speed and seatbelt wearing on Irish roads;
• Systematic identification of high collision locations on
national road network;
• Conducting multi-disciplinary research to understand
how road collisions and resulting injuries are caused;
• Proposing and evaluating ways to prevent collisions and
injuries;
• Participation in national and international research
projects in the field of road safety;
• Participation in EU research programmes such as
SARTRE, CARE, IRTAD and EURORAP;
• Provision of information to the public, national and
international bodies.
The department also liaises with the Garda National Traffic
Bureau, the National Roads Authority, the Local Government
Computer Science Board and other organisations on aspects
of road safety research activities.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2009
Road Collision Database
Collision data generated by members of An Garda Síochána
is forwarded to the Research Department in the Road Safety
Authority (RSA) for analysis and publication. The
collision data is mapped and analysed by the RSA
Research Department. The results of the analysis
are published by the RSA in its annual Road
Collision Fact Book. The collision data contains
general information, vehicle information and
other information such as possible collision
causes. The results are used to monitor trends,
target safety initiatives and to inform the
ongoing review of public policy in relation to road safety. In
2009, the 2008 Road Collision Fact Book was published and
reported that of the 28,464 Garda-reported motor vehicle
traffic collisions, 279 people were killed, 9,758 people were
injured, and 21,728 collisions involved property or material
damage only.
Free Speed Survey
The Annual Free Speed Survey for 2008 was published on the
Road Safety Authority website in 2009. A
total of 11,935 cars, 1,296 articulated
vehicles, 3,108 rigid vehicles and 360
single deck buses were observed. The
survey found the percentage of drivers
exceeding the speed limit ranged from
16% to 86% depending on the road type
and posted speed limit. Furthermore,
the percentage of drivers found breaking the
speed limit by 10km/h or more ranged between 3% and
47%, depending on the road type. The survey found a
significant improvement in the percentage of vehicles
complying with speed limits on national and urban
residential roads. However, overall driver compliance with
speed limits on urban roads is still poor. On average, 3 out of
5 motorists exceeded the posted speed limit in urban areas.
Seat Belt Wearing Survey
In 2008, RSA conducted a national seatbelt observational
survey on Irish roads which was published
in 2009. Seatbelt usage and gender were
recorded from motorists travelling along a
selected sample of roads. Data was
recorded from all car drivers, light goods
vehicle drivers and adult front and rear
passengers. Separate surveys for primary
school and secondary school children
travelling in the front or rear seat were
also conducted.
The survey was conducted among 16,413 adults occupying
the front seats of vehicles, of which 13,521 (82%) were
drivers. In addition, 586 adults occupying rear seats were
observed. In 2008, 89% of adults (drivers, front and rear
passengers) were recorded wearing a seatbelt – the highest
rate recorded to date. 90% of drivers observed were wearing
a seatbelt, a 2% improvement on 2007 wearing rates.
Seatbelt surveys conducted in previous years revealed the
following wearing rates for drivers:
• 2006 and 2005 - 86 %
• 2003 - 85 %
• 2002 - 71 %
• 1999 - 55 %
• 1991 - 52 %
36