Australasian College of Road Safety

🤔 Did you know that road safety can be affected by how well our laws, road design standards and vehicle regulations align?

New research published in the Australasian College of Road Safety Journal of Road Safety explores how inconsistencies between these systems can create confusion for road users and reduce the effectiveness of self-explaining roads.

Key findings:
🔹 Better alignment between road user behaviour laws, road design standards and vehicle regulations can improve road safety.
🔹 Some pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes and cycling infrastructure may not always align with the legal definitions used in road rules.
🔹 Practical tools such as cross-referencing systems, standardised terminology and interpretive guides could help prevent future misalignment.

The study calls for a review of existing laws and stronger connections between road design, vehicle standards and road rules to support safer outcomes for all road users.

👉Article Title: Promoting Road Safety Through Regulation: Aligning Road Design, Vehicle Design, and Road User Behaviour Laws in Australia

🔗 Read the research in the latest issue of the Journal of Road Safety here: https://journalofroadsafety.org/

👀 Take a sneak peek at the 2026 ARSC program!

The excitement is building for the 2026 Australasian Road Safety Conference, with all 32 concurrent session themes confirmed and an exceptional keynote lineup featuring Tom Flood, Astrid Linder and Soames Job.

Whether you're interested in:

👉 Vehicle safety
👉 Safe roads
👉 Pedestrians and cyclists
👉 Enforcement and policing
👉 Crash data and analysis
👉 School and community programs
👉 Heavy vehicles
👉 Safe speeds
..there will be sessions tailored to your interests and professional focus.

2026 ARSC - 📍 Sydney, Australia - 26-29 October 2026

Explore the program and start planning your conference journey today. More presentations and speaker details will be added over the coming weeks.

All the details here: https://australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au/

❓How much does location influence speeding behaviour?

A new study - in the Australasian College of Road Safety Journal of Road Safety - of more than 172,000 vehicles in India's Bengaluru Metropolitan Region found:

🔹 Rural drivers travelled significantly faster than urban drivers.
🔹 SUV drivers recorded the highest speeds and the highest prevalence of speeding.
🔹 Almost 40% of drivers in rural areas were speeding, compared to 24% in urban areas.

The findings reinforce the importance of effective speed management, particularly in rural areas where higher speeds can contribute to more severe road trauma outcomes.

👉Article Title: Urban and Rural Differences in Driver Speeds and Associated Factors: Results from a Large-Scale Roadside Study in India

🔗Read the research in the latest issue of the Journal of Road Safety here: https://journalofroadsafety.org/

What if a simple behavioural assessment tool could help policymakers and clinicians better protect older pedestrians from road trauma?

Older pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, yet until now there has been no dedicated tool to measure their pedestrian behaviours.

New research published in the Australasian College of Road Safety Journal of Road Safety introduces the Older Adult Pedestrian Behaviour Questionnaire (OAPBQ).

Key findings:
1️⃣ Researchers developed a new 16-item questionnaire tailored specifically for older adults.
2️⃣ The study identified four key behavioural areas: traffic rule compliance, preferences, distraction, and positive behaviours.
3️⃣ Older adults were most likely to adopt cautious, risk-avoidant behaviours, such as choosing safer routes when crossing roads.

The findings provide valuable insights for road safety practitioners, policymakers, clinicians, and researchers working to reduce road trauma among older adults.

🔗 Read the latest Journal of Road Safety here: https://journalofroadsafety.org/

👉 Do you know an ACRS member whose work has made a lasting impact on road safety?

Nominations are now open for the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) Fellowship Award.

This prestigious award recognises current ACRS members who have made outstanding and inspiring contributions to road safety through practice, research, or both.

It celebrates individuals who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a sustained commitment to advancing road safety knowledge, practice, and institutions while supporting the mission and values of ACRS.

Since 1991, ACRS Fellows have represented some of the most respected and influential contributors to road safety across Australasia. Fellowship is not awarded for position, title, or length of service - it recognises exceptional achievement and distinctive contributions that have helped reduce road trauma and strengthen our profession.

To be eligible, nominees must be:
✅ Current or past road safety practitioners or researchers
✅ Active financial members of ACRS
✅ Nominated by two ACRS members

The recipient will receive:
🏅 Registration to the 2026 Australasian Road Safety Conference in Sydney
🏅 Return flights and accommodation to attend the ACRS Awards Ceremony
🏅 A commemorative glass trophy
🏅 The opportunity to deliver a two-minute acceptance speech

Know an ACRS member whose achievements deserve recognition by their peers?
Help us celebrate excellence and honour those who have dedicated their careers to advancing road safety and reducing road trauma.

Nominations close at 11:59pm (AEST) Tuesday 30 June 2026.
🔗https://acrs.org.au/about/awards/fellowship-award/

NOW AVAILABLE - The Journal of Road Safety May 2026 edition (Vol. 37, Issue 2) has been published.

This issue includes new peer-reviewed research on:
🔸 Older adult pedestrian behaviour
🔸 Speed differences between urban and rural roads in India
🔸 Regulatory approaches to road safety in Australia
🔸 School crosswalk driver yielding behaviour
🔸 iRAP Star Ratings in Brunei
🔸 Pedestrian awareness, attitudes, and violation behaviour

Thank you to all contributing authors and reviewers for supporting evidence-informed road safety practice and policy.

🔗Access the edition here: https://journalofroadsafety.org/

2026 ARSC KEYNOTES ANNOUNCED

Two international keynote speakers announced for !

Join us in Sydney from 26-29 October for the Australasian Road Safety Conference featuring:

👉 Tom Flood - Rovélo Creative
👉 Prof. Astrid Linder - VTI

✅ Early bird savings available
✅ 8 workshops + bike tours
✅ Welcome reception & gala dinner included
✅ Exclusive Hyatt Regency Sydney delegate rates

Connect with road safety leaders, researchers, practitioners, and policy experts shaping safer futures.

ALL THE DETAILS HERE: https://australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au/

Thank you to all the sponsors of the 2026ARSC: https://australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au/sponsors-exhibitors/