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Injury Matters wishes to better understand the number of people who are affected following a road crash. There is little evidence to inform how many people are affected by a single road crash. Through their experience in Road Trauma Support WA (RTS WA), they are aware that people affected can include those directly involved in the crash, witnesses, family, friends, first responders, and hospital staff. Evidence to support and understand the impact of road trauma is beneficial to inform contemporary road safety prevention and post-crash recovery strategy and intervention design.

This project will build on 2023 Honours projects relating to experiences of young adults aged 18-24 years with ADHD and/or autism diagnoses about their experiences with the WA driver licensing process. Qualitative interviews were conducted with volunteer participants recruited via the SPS SONA student and community panels. The findings revealed that many struggled with the licensing processes, irrespective of their ability to drive safely. Interviewees shared recommendations to improve the driver licensing process to be fairer and more inclusive of neurodivergent applicants so that they are assessed solely based on their driving skills and capabilities. This project will apply wider methods to explore more diverse views, particularly those of First Peoples.

Kings Park Warriors is a community group that runs weekly peer group catch ups for people with brain injury (including stroke, aneurism, road injury) and more recently fortnightly groups for their carers. These started at the Botanical Café in Kings Park, but weekly groups have expanded to other areas for ease of access. Due to demand, the group has registered as a charity in 2024 and a Synapse representative attends meetings to track numbers. The proposed project is to talk with group members early in joining the groups and a few months later, to get their perspectives on the potential value of the groups. With these results and the accompanying literature review regarding the value of peer support groups, it is hoped that the group can use the findings to apply for an operating grant with Synapse.

This research aims to understand the problem of drug driving by analysing data on drug drivers' knowledge of fines and penalties applied to drug driving and the type of drugs they think that Roadside Drug Testing (RDT) tests for. The research will also seek to identify alternative transport options and avoidance strategies applied by drug drivers. It may also include some demographic analyses such as rural versus urban, purpose of driving after taking drugs, vehicle type, number of crashes, and number of near misses related to drug driving.

Examining the impact of several road infrastructure designs on cyclist behaviour, as well as their acceptance of these designs, through a state-of-the-art bicycle simulator.

Measuring the distance between cyclists and passing motor vehicles since the introduction of minimum passing distance laws.

A naturalistic study to examine the prevalence, circumstances, and consequences of road rage, and identifying characteristics associated with aggressive driving.

Investigating whether improving sleep habits – and therefore reducing fatigue – in younger drivers can better their driving performance.

Investigating to what extent ‘looked but did not see’ (inattentional blindness) crashes are the result of fatigue.

This project will use experimental techniques to assess the driver distraction potential of static vs animated digital billboards.

Testing whether it is possible to accelerate appropriate hazard reaction in novice drivers by using unconscious attentional training.

Several projects using a simulator to ‘drive’ autonomous vehicles (AVs), and test interactions with other road users in order to assess road safety risks.

Assessing the risk of taking medicinal marijuana and driving, and pinpointing the dosage where driving performance is impaired. The study may also similarly examine the use of fentanyl and oxycodone.

• Evaluation of the effectiveness of the State Black Spot program in WA.
• Analysis of crashes on horizontal curves on the State rural network
• Submission to Inquiry into the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road users
• Predicting traffic volume on WA’s State road network
• Albrecht, M., Amoh-Gyimah, R., Argus, F., Price, A., & Roberts, P. (2023). Predicting traffic volume on WA’s State road network.

Albrecht, M., Amoh-Gyimah, R., Lajszczak, H., & Roberts, P. (2022). Comparison of Black Spot treatment eligibility criteria in Western Australia.

Albrecht, M., Amoh-Gyimah, R., Lajszczak, H., & Roberts, P. (2022). Evaluation of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Black Spot program in Western Australia – 2015-2020.

Albrecht, M., Kekez, D., Walton-Blane, A., Picen, T., Vinci, B., Bonner, A., & Black, M. H. (2022). Driving simulator assessment of innovative intersection designs.

Fraser M, Lyford M, Meuleners L. (2021). Keys4Life Evaluation: Report 2. Report to the Road Safety Commission. View report

Tijia D, Legge M, Meuleners L. (2020). Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of the Metropolitan Intersection Crash (MIC) Program in Western Australia from 2012/13 to 2018/19. Report to the Road Safety Commission.

Roberts P, Strange C, Tijia D, Lyford M. (2020). Process Review of the Western Australian Alcohol Interlock Scheme – Phase One. Report to the Road Safety Commission.

Roberts P, Legge M, Goodsell R, Strange C. (2020). Holistic Road Safety Predictive Models: Identifying Significant Non-infrastructure Variables. Report to the Road Safety Commission.

Fraser M, Lyford M, Meuleners L. (2020). Keys4Life Evaluation: Report 1. Report to the Road Safety Commission. View report

Goodsell R, Roberts P. (2020). Countermeasures to reduce inattentional blindness in drivers. Report to the Road Safety Commission.

The Road Safety Commission website stores historic research dating back to 2013. Research is categorised by the four elements of the safe system. Reports can be found on the Road Safety Commission website via the links below.

• Driver behaviour
• Road infrastructure
• Speed
• Vehicles
• Safe System Foundation

Cullen, P., Mőller, H., Baffsky, R., Martiniuk, A., Senserrick, T., Rogers, K., Woodward, M., Stevenson, M. R., McLean, R., Sawyer, S., Patton, G., & Ivers, R. Q. (2023). Self-harm in adolescence and risk of crash: a 13-year cohort study of novice drivers in New South Wales, Australia. Injury Prevention, ip–2022–044807–. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2022-044807

Masterton, G., Brady, M., Watson-Brown, N., Senserrick, T., & Tranter, K. (2023). Driver Licences, Diversionary Programs and Transport Justice for First Nations Peoples in Australia. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.2641

Meuleners, L., Fraser, M., Stevenson, M., & Roberts, P. (2023). Personalized driving safety: Using telematics to reduce risky driving behaviour among young drivers. Journal of Safety Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2023.05.007

Meuleners, L., Fraser, M., & Roberts, P. (2023). Improving cycling safety through infrastructure design: A bicycle simulator study. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 18, 100768–. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2023.100768

Stevenson M, Mortimer D, Meuleners L, Harris A, Senserrick T, Thompson J, De Silva A, Barrera-Jimenez H, Streatfield A, Perera M. FEEDBACK Trial - A randomised control trial to investigate the effect of personalised feedback and financial incentives on reducing the incidence of road crashes. BMC Public Health, 2023;23:2035. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16886-z

Molloy, O., Molesworth, B., Williamson, A., & Senserrick, T. (2023). Improving young drivers’ speed compliance through a single dose of feedback. Transportation Research. Part F, Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 95, 228–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2023.04.006

Nandavar, S., Kaye, S.-A., Senserrick, T., & Oviedo-Trespalacios, O. (2023). Exploring the factors influencing acquisition and learning experiences of cars fitted with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Transportation Research. Part F, Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 94, 341–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2023.02.006

Senserrick, T., Mőller, H., Boufous, S., Stevenson, M., Williamson, A., Patton, G., ... & Ivers, R. Q. (2023). Learning with a supervisor perceived to have traffic offences and young driver crashes: The DRIVE Study 13-year follow-up. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Senserrick, T., Watson-Brown, N., Kaye, S.-A., & Oviedo-Trespalacios, O. (2023). Upskilling Professional Driving Instructors of Young Learner Drivers: What Are We Waiting For? Journal of Road Safety (Australasian College of Road Safety. Online), 34(2). https://doi.org/10.33492/JRS-D-22-00054

Roberts, P. L., & Meuleners, L. B. (2023). Optimising alcohol interlock program performance. Journal of road safety, 34(4), 51-60. https://doi.org/10.33492/JACRS-D-21-00042

Kekez, D., Walton-Blane, A., Picen, T., Vinci, B., Bonner, A., Albrecht, M. A., & Black, M. H. (2022). 
Simulator assessment of innovative intersection designs on driver speeds and trajectories. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 176, 106798–106798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2022.106798

Feng, Y. R., Meuleners, L., Stevenson, M., Heyworth, J., Murray, K., Fraser, M., & Maher, S. (2021). A Longitudinal Study Examining Self-Regulation Practices in Older Drivers with and without Suspected Mild Cognitive Impairment. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 16, 2069–2078. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S336802

Imants, P., Goodsell, R. S., & Chevalier, A. (2022). Characteristics of suicide-related crashes and their potential interventions: A literature review. Traffic Injury Prevention, 23(5), 232–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2022.2057966

Quyen To, Van-Anh Huynh, Dung Do, Vu Do, Nathan Congdon, Lynn Meuleners, Corneel Vandelanotte, Hiep Hong, Ho Nguyen & Kien To. (2021). Falls and physical activity among cataract patients in Vietnam, Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 29:70-77. 10.1080/09286586.2021.1893341

Feng, Y. R., Meuleners, L., Stevenson, M., Heyworth, J., Murray, K., Fraser, M. & Maher, S. (2021). Driving exposure, patterns and safety critical events for older drivers with and without mild cognitive impairment: Findings from a naturalistic driving study. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 151: 105965. 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105965

Meuleners L, Ng J, Fraser M, Tijia D, Feng YR, Morlet N. (2021). Changes in driving performance after first and second eye cataract surgery: a driving simulator study. Journal of Safety Research, 78, 146-154. 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.04.006

Blackman, R., Legge, M. & Debnath, A. K. (2020). Comparison of three traffic management plans showing shadow and police vehicle effects on driver behavior at highway single lane closures. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2674(9), 15-25. 10.1177/0361198120925473

Feng, Y. R. & Meuleners, L. (2020). Planning for driving cessation in older drivers. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 2, 62-70. 10.1016/j.trf.2020.05.005

Feng, Y. R., Meuleners, L., Stevenson, M., Heyworth, J., Murray, K., & Maher, S. (2020). Driver self-regulation practices in older drivers with and without mild cognitive impairment. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 15, 217-224. 0.2147/CIA.S236998

Fraser, M. L. & Meuleners, L. B. (2020). Characteristics of unsafe events involving a motor vehicle for group riders in Western Australia: a naturalistic study. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 74, 40-51. 10.1016/j.trf.2020.08.004

Fraser, M. L. & Meuleners, L. B. (2020). Getting back on the bike: Participation in cycling after a hospitalisation crash. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 146, 105726. 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105726

Fraser, M. L. & Meuleners, L. B. (2020). Risk factors for unsafe events involving a motor vehicle for group riders (cyclists): a naturalistic case-crossover study. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 146, 105758. 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105758

Meuleners, L. B., Fraser, M., Johnson, M., Stevenson, M., Rose, G., & Oxley, J. (2020). Characteristics of the road infrastructure and injurious cyclist crashes resulting in a hospitalisation. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 136, 105407. 10.1016/j.aap.2019.105407

Meuleners, L. B., Fraser, M. L. & Roberts, P. (2020). Impact of the Rural Intersection Active Warning System (RIAWS) on driver speed: a driving simulator study. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 141, 105541. 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105541

Meuleners, L. B. & Roberts, P. (2020). Diverging diamond interchanges: a driving simulator study. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 71, 250-258. 10.1016/j.trf.2020.04.007

Meuleners, L., Roberts, P. & Fraser, M. (2020). Identifying the distracting aspects of electronic advertising billboards: a driving simulation study. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 145, 105710. 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105710