An estimate of the effectiveness of an in-vehicle automatic collision notification system in reducing road crash fatalities in South Australia

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the potential effectiveness of an in-vehicle automatic collision notification (ACN) system in reducing all road crash fatalities in South Australia (SA).

Methods: For the years 2008 to 2009, traffic accident reporting system (TARS) data, emergency medical services (EMS) road crash dispatch data, and coroner's reports were matched and examined. This was done to initially determine the extent to which there were differences between the reported time of a fatal road crash in the mass crash data and the time EMS were notified and dispatched. In the subset of fatal crashes where there was a delay, injuries detailed by a forensic pathologist in individual coroner's reports were examined to determine the likelihood of survival had there not been a delay in emergency medical assistance.

Results: In 25% (N = 53) of fatalities in SA in the period 2008 to 2009, there was a delay in the notification of the crash event, and hence dispatch of EMS, that exceeded 10 min. In the 2-year crash period, 5 people were likely to have survived through more prompt crash notification enabling quicker emergency medical assistance. Additionally, 3 people potentially would have survived if surgical intervention (or emergency medical assistance to sustain life until surgery) occurred more promptly.

Conclusions: The minimum effectiveness rate of an ACN system in SA with full deployment is likely to be in the range of 2.4 to 3.8% of all road crash fatalities involving all vehicle types and all vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists) from 2008 to 2009. Considering only passenger vehicle occupants, the benefit is likely to be 2.6 to 4.6%. These fatality reductions could only have been achieved through earlier notification of each crash and their location to enable a quicker medical response. This might be achievable through a fully deployed in-vehicle ACN system.

KEYWORDS:

• automatic collision notification
• eCall
• crash notification delay
• emergency medical services

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the assistance of Stephen Bigg from SA Ambulance Service and the SA Ambulance Service for the provision of the ambulance dispatch paging system to The Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) as part of a state government-funded project to conduct in-depth crash investigations in South Australia. The authors also thank the Coroner's Court of South Australia for access to the coroner's investigation files.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) through a Project Grant to the Centre for Automotive Safety Research managed through Matthew Leyson and Frances Doyle.The Centre for Automotive Safety Research is supported by both the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and the South Australian Motor Accident Commission. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Adelaide or the funding organizations.