Driving for work (Complete)

Research Project: Contextual factors in driving for work crashes (death and serious injury crashes)

In partnership with Mackie Research, the AA Research Foundation (AARF) re-used a 'Safe System Analysis framework', which was developed for previous research projects that looked into serious and fatal crashes and restraint (seatbelt) use. This framework was applied to this new project to analyse system failures in work-related crashes.

Mackie Research looked into 300 motor vehicle crashes that had a work-related driving element. The crashes were analysed in terms of the 'safe system pillars' : users, speed, vehicle, roads and roadsides. The objective was to see if there were some stand-out commonalities in work-related crashes. 

The research also undertook a small 'socio-technical' analysis in an attempt to identify causation. The aim of this was to better understand wider factors that set up the environment for the crash. This type of analysis is increasingly being used by agencies like Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Worksafe.

Why is the AA interested?

Driving for work is one of five priority actions in the Government's "Road to Zero" road safety strategy. It is believed that there are many opportunities to improve the safety of people who have to drive for work.

This research is of interest to the AA Driving School as well as external organisations including Waka Kotahi-NZ Transport Agency and WorkSafe.

Results

Research Report - Driving For Work

Researchers

• Mackie Research

Project Managers

• Simon Douglas - AA Research Foundation

 Page last updated: October 2022