Road transport injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales, Australia.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the burden of serious road transport injuries and fatalities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales (NSW) and identify protective factors to inform targeted road safety initiatives.

METHODS

This study utilised the NSW Centre for Road Safety linked crash-and-health data from 2005-2023 including police-reported crash, hospital, emergency department, and mortality data. Statistical analysis focused on the burden of serious injury and factors protective of serious injury.

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2023, 7,587 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 17 or older were seriously injured, and 320 were killed in a road transport crash in NSW. Car occupants (53%) and young adults aged 17-29 (48%) were most affected. Fractures (41%) and head injuries (19%) were the most common injuries. Pedestrians experienced the highest proportion of maximum severity injuries (15%). Protective factors for serious injury included wearing seatbelts, holding a standard licence, and crashing in urban areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the significant burden of road transport injuries on communities and identifies key protective factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Findings emphasise the need for culturally appropriate, community-led road safety initiatives to reduce transport injuries and deaths in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.