Annual performance indicators of enforced driver behaviours in South Australia, 2006

Abstract

This report was produced to quantify performance indicators for selected enforced driver behaviours (drink driving, speeding and restraint use) in South Australia for the calendar year 2006. The level of random breath testing (RBT) in South Australia in 2006 increased by 7 per cent to its highest ever level. The detection rate based on evidentiary testing decreased in 2006 from the previous year but remained at a relatively high level, while the detection rate for screening tests increased to the highest level since recording commenced in 2003. There was an increase in the proportion of tests conducted using mobile RBT, which is due to the operation of unrestricted mobile RBT for the entire year for the first time. Detection rates in South Australia were comparable with those in other states. There was an increase (7%) in the number of hours spent on speed detection in 2006 compared to 2005, partly due to three months of speed camera inactivity in 2005. Apart from an increase in speed camera detections, red light/speed camera detections also increased (by 30%) in 2006, most likely due to the expansion of the program. The detection rate (per hour of enforcement and per 1,000 vehicles passing speed cameras) increased for the first time since 2001 but remained at a relatively low level. No urban speed surveys were conducted in 2006 but rural surveys revealed a decrease in travel speeds on rural roads. The number of restraint offences in 2006 was 13 per cent higher than the number in 2005. Males were charged with more restraint offences and were more likely to be unrestrained in fatal and serious injury crashes than females, indicating that males remain an important target for restraint enforcement. Publicity expenditure supporting restraint use decreased in 2006, most likely because an existing media campaign was used.LN Wundersitz, MRJ Baldoc