Successful Applicants: 2006 Road Safety Research Grants
A list of successful road safety grant recipients for the Road Research Grant Program 2006.
Dr Lynn Meuleners, Edith Cowan University
Medications and crash involvement for older drivers: a population based study
There is a growing population of older drivers and many older drivers are required to take prescription medications. This study will input pharmaceutical records information to a linked database containing hospital and crash records. It aims to examine medication use among crash-involved drivers, and estimate the relative crash risk for drivers taking prescription medications, compared with an age and gender matched group of older drivers who are not.
Dr Simon Smith, University of Queensland
Sleepiness and hazard perception while driving
This study will investigate the interaction between sleepiness and hazard perception among young and experienced drivers. Younger drivers are at a higher risk of fatigue-related crashes than older drivers, and their hazard perception skills are not as well developed. There is evidence that hazard perception skills are adversely affected by fatigue, and the combined effect of fatigue and lower hazard perception skills may help to explain the high involvement of young drivers in fatigue-related crashes, and provide useful information for public education.
Mrs Shari Walsh, Queensland University of Technology
Psychosocial factors influencing mobile phone use while driving
A project designed to examine for what reasons and in what circumstances people use mobile phones while driving. This study will provide information that may be of assistance in developing methods to discourage mobile phone use while driving.
Ms Kim O'Donnell, Flinders University
Aboriginal People Travelling Well
This research aims to assess the impact of the lack of access to safe and reliable transport in Indigenous communities as a factor in the acceptance of high-risk behaviours. It will examine both urban and rural communities, and consider the range of issues that influence the decision to accept unsafe transport choices.