Abstract Manager

Nearly 2,000 Canadians a year are killed in road crashes and nearly 8,000 more are seriously injured. Society tends to treat each deadly crash as a random tragedy but these crashes follow patterns that can be observed at a high-level. Our session will provide an overview of best practices in post-crash data analysis from around the world and highlight actions that can be taken with all levels of data quality.

We will outline the Dutch method of crash investigation and look at the ways this practice has helped decision-makers connect the dots and re-shaped roadways to prevent further dangerous conditions. We will also speak to this practice’s place with the Dutch Safe System approach which emphasizes predictable road conditions, slow speeds and modal separation.

Okka Maw will provide context from an Australian perspective and discuss road safety audit practices and post-crash analysis, as well as state-led vision-zero and safe systems approaches including crash data collection at state levels and sharing and analysis of crashes on an annual basis.

Both Dutch and Australian experience shows that across countries, the data clearly points to characteristics of dangerous roadways – unpredictable designs, high speeds and mixed modes at different speeds. Post-crash analysis is only useful in preventing fatalities and serious injuries if its findings shape future roadway design.