Safe System Analysis of Driving for Work Crashes

1 August 2023

This research report published by The Australasian College of Road Safety states that work-related road safety is a New Zealand government priority. It explores a Safe System analysis of 300 driving for work (DFW) crashes was carried out, along with an exploratory socio-technical analysis of one significant case to better understand the context around DFW crashes. The Safe System analysis showed three distinct crash types: 1) multiple vehicle crashes often involving work vans, utes, and SUVs in side impact crashes; 2) vulnerable road users often involving professional drivers; and 3) single vehicle crashes involving people driving vans or light trucks for work losing control on rural roads with fatigue, non-seat belt use, and speed often implicated. There was a range of unique characteristics of DFW crashes, in particular, injuries to others who were implicated in DFW crashes but not those DFW themselves. Socio-technical systems analysies show promise for understanding the context around DFW crashes, but arrangements for better data access, coordination, and use are needed.

Key Findings:

The characteristics of driving for work (DFW) crashes differed from non-work related crashes, suggesting the influence of different systems factors

DFW crashes were most often linked to multiple failures across the Safe System

A Safe System analysis identified three distinct crash types across the DFW crashes

Socio-technical systems analysis is a promising approach for understanding the full context around DFW crashes