The latest edition of The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) Benchmarking the Performance of the National Road Safety Strategy, released this week, unveils alarming statistics: 1,310 fatalities occurred on Australian roads in the year ending 30 June - up from 1,173 the previous year.

This marks the deadliest 12-month period since November 2012. All states across the country have seen significant increases in road-related deaths, with New South Wales seeing an alarming increase of 23 percent.

These shocking statistics are increasing pressure on State Governments to comply with Federal Government demands to share critical data on the causes of road-related deaths.

Michael Bradley, Managing Director, Australian Automobile Association emphasizes, "States and territories must report data they hold about the causes of crashes, the quality of roads, and the effectiveness of policing, so it can be used to produce more effective road safety interventions.”

"To its credit, the Federal Government has agreed to insert data transparency clauses into the next five-year intergovernmental road funding agreement. This agreement was due to begin this month but has not yet been finalised, and the delay is impeding the introduction of more effective road safety measures."

Dominic Teakle, CEO, St John Ambulance NSW said, “The shocking data from the Australian Automotive Association highlights just how important it is for all drivers to be equipped with basic first aid and CPR training, so that they are ready to save a life.  

“The first three to five minutes after a traffic accident are critical, with bystander first aid having the potential to drastically reduce hospital deaths and severe injury in the time it takes for emergency services to arrive at the scene. It takes as little as three minutes for a person to die from a blocked airway, which is responsible for around 85% of pre-hospital traffic deaths. And yet, just the simple act of lifting an unconscious person’s chin is often enough to unblock their airways.

“Simple skills such as this can make a huge difference, which is why we’re calling on the NSW Government to take action and make first aid a mandatory part of learner driver training and join the numerous countries worldwide already doing this.”

In late 2024, St John Ambulance Australia launched a free Driver First Aid awareness course, which is available online and will help the next generation of drivers to learn the skills needed to help someone in the event of an accident.

You can find more information about this free 30-minute course: HERE

 

In light of the new statistics released by the Australian Automobile Association in their National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2023 this week, St John Ambulance NSW have prepared some tips for drivers on Australian roads.

 

Tips and advice on Driver First Aid:

What should I do to help someone involved in a traffic accident? 

The first three to five minutes in the aftermath of a traffic accident are critical. If you see someone involved in a traffic accident, make sure the area is safe, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and perform basic first aid while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

 

Make sure the area is safe for yourself and others: 

1. Park safely and well away from the incident, turn on your hazard lights and put on a high vis jacket if you have one. 
2. If there are other drivers around, protect the area by asking the drivers to park well away from the incident in either direction and turn on their hazard lights.  
3. Make vehicles safe by switching off the ignition of all damaged and surrounding cars, and apply the hand breaks. 
4. Ensure the area is safe for yourself, bystanders, and the injured casualty – being alert of other traffic, damaged vehicles, fumes, fire and spilt fuel. 

 

Assess the casualty: 

5. Call Triple Zero (000) for emergency help straight away – giving your exact location, number of casualties, type and extent of injuries and whether anybody is trapped.  
6. Don't move the casualty unless absolutely necessary, as it could lead to further injury, treating the casualty in the position you find them. 
7. Conduct a survey of the casualty, checking whether they are conscious or unconscious, whether their airways are clear and open, whether they are breathing, and whether they are bleeding. 

 

If they are externally bleeding: 

If a person has an external bleeding wound, it is crucial to stop the bleeding immediately, before attending to their breathing and circulation.  

1. Apply firm, direct and continuous pressure on the wound with a clean pad or dressing or use clean clothing if no first aid kit is available.  

2. Continue to apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If there is an object embedded in the wound, don't remove it – instead apply pressure to either side of the wound.  
3. If the casualty is unresponsive and is not breathing, start CPR immediately doing 30 compressions hard and fast in the center of their chest, followed by two rescue breaths. 
4. Use an AED to provide defibrillation if available following the voice instructions provided. 

 

If the casualty is unresponsive but breathing normally: 

1. Put them in the recovery position and gently tilt the casualty's head back and lift their chin to make sure their airway stays open.

 

For more information, you can read about Drivers First Aid on the St John Ambulance NSW website: HERE