The Safest System: Preventing crashes by preventing errors

EXTENDED ABSTRACT: The Safe Systems Approach [SSA] focusses on limiting the likelihood that user-errors result in serious injury. A safer system might also limit user-errors. We explored how the system contributed to errors that preceded 94 serious crashes from the Austroads Crash Investigation Study. Passengervehicle-occupants who were admitted to one of five NSW trauma units were interviewed, and their vehicle and the crash location were inspected. The in-depth data was reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel using an SSA framework to identify contributing factors. Features of the road and regulatory environment contributed to common errors. The panel suggested strategies to minimise errors.