REPORT UPON THE INQUIRY INTO VEHICLE OCCUPANT PROTECTION

Late in 1989 two horrific bus crashes took the lives of 57 people. These tragedies, together with disturbing trends in road accidents, have placed road safety back on the agenda for all Victorians. With this background the Social Development Committee tables its Report into Vehicle Occupant Protection. The Committee believes that the discussions and recommendations contained in it could prove a catalyst for government, industry and community support for improvements in vehicle occupant protection. This report builds on the record already established by this Committee and its predecessor the Joint Select Road Safety Committee. It looks at what happens to vehicle occupants in the seconds immediately following a vehicle crash. The Committee has examined a wide range of initiatives which if implemented, have the potential to improve safety for vehicle occupants. The Committee has covered such areas as improved seat belt systems, infant and child restraints, motoring helmets and improvements to the structural integrity of motor vehicles. The safety of bus passengers and the special needs of disabled vehicle occupants have also received attention. Recommendations are made concerning the use of driver side air bags. These air bags inflate following the impact of a crash and protect the driver. The Committee also examined in detail the processes by which the Australian Design Rules are established. The Committee is critical of existing structures and processes which appear to have delayed progress in vehicle occupant protection in recent years.

• Corporate Authors:

  Victoria Parliament

  Social Development Committee, 80 Collins Street
  Melbourne, Victoria,   Australia 
• Publication Date: 1990

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 237 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Air bags; Buses; Crashes; Data collection; Design; Drivers; Education; Equipment; Helmets; Highway safety; Injury severity; Law enforcement; Manual safety belts; Persons with disabilities; Protective clothing; Publicity; Safety; Trucks; Vehicle components; Vehicle occupants; Vehicles
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 8006: Australia; 1354: Components of the vehicle; 1687: Crash helmet; 9011: Design (overall design); 3674: Equipment; 1236: Lorry; 1665: Safety; 1476: Safety belt; 1623: Severity (accid, injury); 177: Specifications; 1255: Vehicle; 1715: Vehicle occupant
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Motor Carriers; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00606273
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1991 12:00AM