The relationship between crime and road safety

Monash University Accident Research Centre - Report #284 [2009]

Authors: Charlotte Brace, Michelle Whelan, Belinda Clark & Jennie Oxley

Abstract:

The aim of this project was to examine the relationship between crime and road safety and to identify what and how pertinent Victorian crime and road safety data can be utilised to examine this relationship. Of specific interest was the relationship between criminal activity of individuals and the likelihood of these individuals being involved in a fatal or serious injury outcome road crash. The key findings of this research suggest that t here is a positive relationship between: general negative behaviour (e.g. involvement in antisocial behaviours) and risky driving behaviour; criminal behaviour and traffic offences (specifically violence, theft & burglary and recidivist/drink driving, driving whilst disqualified; risky traffic behaviour contributing to a crash and criminal history (particularly for violent crime, vandalism, property crime, and involvement in traffic crime), and; crash involvement, drink driving and general criminal history including theft, car theft, drug and alcohol related crimes, violence and property damage. There are a variety of approaches that have been adopted internationally to examine these relationships, although such work has not been undertaken in Victoria to date. There are several limitations and barriers for linking crime and road safety data in Victoria , predominantly concerning privacy and ethics, matching of data, issues with data analysis and cost/resource factors. A number of recommendations have been presented to overcome these factors and to explore the relationship between crime and road safety in Victoria .

Sponsoring organisation - Baseline Research Program - Department of Justice, Transport Accident Commission, VicRoads