Trauma & road trauma prevention
Whilst the Road Trauma Committee ended in November 2023 it still remains and a major standing item on the Trauma Committee agenda and a key advocacy item for the Committee. Below please read a brief but important summary of the Road Trama Committee:
Overview
In 1969, the College recognised that road trauma was a serious public health problem reaching epidemic proportions. It saw that it could be influential in this area with policy makers and legislators. The College was a major contributor towards mandatory seat-belt wearing in the 1970s and drink driving counter-measures and the compulsory wearing of helmets by pedal cyclists in the 1980s and 1990s. In recent times the College has focussed on the safety of young drivers and children, lobbying for improvements in the Graduated Licensing System and child restraint laws, quad bike safety and alcohol-related trauma.
The College positions on road trauma prevention and trauma prevention have been developed and continually updated since the original Road Trauma Committee was formed in 1970. Road safety advocacy continues to be a key function of the sub-committee whose objective is to eliminate death and injury on our roads. No death or injury is acceptable.
RACS' advocacy efforts in trauma and road trauma prevention can be found in the RACS Advocacy area.
We are indebted to Professor Frank McDermott AM FRACS was was a key advocate for road safety and instrumental in the introduction of compulsory seat belt and bicycle helmet laws. Read Professor Frank McDermott's obituary.