Research and reports

In October 2019, we released a short online survey to find out more about people's perceptions and attitudes towards e-scooters. 

e-Bikes are an evolving component of the cycling landscape. They represent a technological change that may help many more people incorporate bicycle riding into their everyday lives. RACV's community e-Bike trials aimed to test how e-Bikes are used in different settings across Victoria.

A condition of being licenced to drive in Victoria is the requirement to advise VicRoads of any serious, permanent or long-term illness, disability, medical condition or injury that may impair one’s ability to drive safely. The idea of a medical review can be emotional for drivers and their loved ones. RACV sought to better understand this experience and find ways to support and empower people to manage their fitness to drive.

The high prevalence use of mobile phones in Australia has led to concerns about the rates and impact of driver distraction, and how technology can be harnessed as an effective countermeasure. In recent years, mobile phone apps have been designed to act as voluntary 'workload managers', which work to prevent distracted driving due to mobile phone use. 

The study provides a retrospective review of prehospital and early in-hospital (<24 hours) road trauma deaths attended by Ambulance Victoria between 2008 to 2014. The review assesses the proportion of cases that were deemed potentially preventable by an expert panel, and identifies a list of key recommendations and novel interventions.

This research provides valuable insights into how we can better support our members who ride a bike as well as encourage non-riders to give it a go.

Declines in the proportions of young adults with driver licences have been reported in several countries. This study provides an update to a previous study of such trends in Victoria.

This report assesses crash data on major Australian Highways from 2010-2014 and identifies those sections where safety improvements are most desperately needed.

While parents play a critical role in ensuring the safety of their children and have a responsibility to educate their children about safe road safety practices, there may be inconsistencies between the perceived and actual injury risks to children.

Recreational wheeled devices are growing in diversity and popularity, and with these trends, there are rising concerns
about the safety of the users themselves and those around them.

In Victoria, people who do not have access to a car risk falling into a mobility gap and becoming isolated. RACV commissioned this research to better understand what alternatives to traditional public transport exist to support mobility beyond driving in Victoria. 

Older people who are unable to drive need access to reliable, efficient, and effective transport options to enable
them to meet their essential needs and undertake social and recreational activities.

Child injuries are likely to occur in the home and almost all of these incidents are unintentional. This report aims to identify the level and type of injury that occurs to children in the home.

This document provides an updated summary of scientifically-based Australian and international research about the effectiveness of driver training/education programs.

This research explored how older drivers perceive new and emerging vehicle safety technologies, investigated the current understanding they have of these technologies and the likely uptake of these technologies.

This research explored whether adding either a gated buckle or chest clip to a child restraint affects the performance of the restraint or presents a safety hazard in the event of a crash.

The study explored the perceptions of safety at various on and off-road locations, along with the crash experiences of e-bike riders.

Changing travel mode choices among young people, in particular declines in the percentages of those with driver’s licences, have been found in several countries.

RACV provides advice on the purchase and use of child restraints and booster seats in Victoria.

Provides a snapshot of current issues and emerging trends affecting our members in the areas of transport, safety and affordability.  

This study investigated the crash risk of international visitors involved in road crashes in Victoria.

Airbags are a proven safety feature however it is it is not clear if caution is warranted for young children travelling in proximity to active airbags.

People with dementia and their carers need comprehensive and trustworthy information to help them transition from driver to non-driver.

This project established the profile of vehicle types driven by young drivers by analysing the types of vehicles in which young drivers are involved in crashes.

Over the next three decades, Melbourne‘s population will rise above five million people, half of whom will live in the outer suburbs. This will mean more trips and more pressure on an already strained transport network.

Safe personal travel should be a key feature of modern society but unless road tragedy personally touches us or our loved ones, we sometimes don’t reflect on how big a problem it is.

Rapid population growth has strained Melbourne’s transport system and threatens Victoria’s economic prosperity and Melbourne’s liveability.

Safe personal travel should be a key feature of modern society but unless road tragedy personally touches us or our loved ones, we sometimes don’t reflect on how big a problem it is.

The aim of this research was to collect information about fatigued driving amongst young drivers within the broader context of attempting to understand this problem more fully.

This is an independent consultant’s report prepared for RACV. RACV has an interest in TAC’s role as a service provider, in particular the quality of treatment which its members receive if they are injured in a transport accident and thereby become a TAC client.

The Victorian Government is considering ways to reduce the crash involvement of young drivers. A range of measures, largely related to young driver licensing are likely to be considered, and it is anticipated that public feedback will be sought via the release of a Government Discussion Paper.

RACV has proudly advocated for our members and the Victorian community for more than 110 years