Naked Twin wrote:Statistics don't lie
Well, statistics are only as good as the data collection criteria used and the recording method.
Naked Twin wrote:The number of car crashes per head of population has not decreased in the same way road deaths has decreased.
I think it's more prudent to look at crashes, injuries and fatalities per vehicle registrations and licence holders. Although this obviously doesn't take into account unlicenced drivers and unregistered vehicles.
In 1970 there were 1,712,000 registered vehicles in NSW. There were 2,049,000 licence holders. In that year there were 1309 fatalities and 34,886 people injured in crashes.
In 1985 there were 2,986,000 registered vehicles in NSW. There were 3,438,000 licence holders. In that year there were 1067 fatalities and 39,336 people injured in crashes.
In 2007 there were 4,311,000 registered vehicles in NSW. There were 4,577,000 licence holders. In that year there were 450 fatalities and 25,845 people injured in crashes.
Between 1970 and 2007 there has been a 151.81% increase in the number of registered vehicles.
Between 1970 and 2007 there has been a 123.38% increase in the number of licence holders.
Between 1970 and 2007 there has been a 65.62% decrease in fatalities caused by car crashes.
Between 1970 and 2007 there has been a 25.92% decrease in people injured in crashes.
So, there are 151% more cars and 123% more people able to drive those cars. Given the massive increase in the number of vehicles using the road, I think the reduction in both fatalities and injury crashes is quite amazing. I think the "25%" reduction in injuries belies the true nature of the reduction.
So, the question is what has caused this to occur. I think there are numerous factors, and the following list is by no means extensive:
Better driver training - no longer can you roll into the local cop-shop, go for a lap of the block with the local copper and get your licence.
Better road design and construction.
Safer cars. The invention of ABS, crumple zones, retractable seatbelts and airbags is arguably the biggest reason fewer people are being killed.
The introduction of RBT.
The introduction of speed detection. Like it or not, getting people to drive slower reduces the chance of a crash and reduces the severity of the injury caused as a result of a crash.
To see a further reduction in vehicle collisions is going to be hard. We would need to see some way to police and enforce driver fatigue and inattention on a massive level. You could argue that this could come about as a result of driver training but driver training isn't the be all and end all. Many people learn to become very good drivers but their attitudes and skill deteriorate quite quickly. So then what? 5 yearly driver testing? Can you imagine the backlash? Are you sure you'd pass? What about the introduction of car drivers wearing helmets? The first government to introduce that will be out on their ear.
Naked Twin wrote:Do you honestly think that it is because of policing strategy? How has policing strategy actually improved road safety?
I am not about to sit here and give you a synopsis of traffic policing philosophy. But things like RBT, drug detection, speed detection, targeted detection models and a better understanding of the cause of road crashes has played it's part in the above reductions. If you argue that policing of the road laws hasn't made a difference, then we might as well get rid of all the speed cameras, traffic coppers and other traffic enforcement methods. What would happen then? Status quo? Oh, the joy and harmony it would bring.....
interesting stats considering the amount of road users now compared to 64 years ago 
That means the pollies will justify their heavy-handed policing tactics as effective. 
. I was just meaning that you can't ASSUME that new laws have had that great an impact on the road toll until you get a few years and start seeing a trend. Even then there's nothing to say that it's a direct link. I'm sure the new laws HAVE made the roads safer. But I still heavily disagree with a few of them. Especially the no second chances policy for red Ps. We need to prevent problems from happening by educating first. Not lettting the problems occur and then beating the offender into submission like an animal (dark ages anyone?). I just think it sux that the vast majority of laws I see getting passed are ones that cost the least to implement. Treat the disease, not the symptoms.