Australia's national crash in-depth study progress report

Australia’s National Crash In-depth Study (ANCIS) is an ongoing retrospective study of real-world modern vehicle crash performance and occupant injuries undertaken in accordance with the format prescribed by the National Automotive Sampling System. The study primarily focuses on occupants of crashed vehicles that are hospitalised. Study method involves interviewing the patient and/or their relatives, perusal of the clinical records and an engineering assessment of the damaged vehicle. In addition, investigators visit the crash scene to assess various road and crash characteristics. Ten Victorian and three New South Wales hospitals are currently associated with the study. It is anticipated that the study will extend to other states Australia-wide and possibly New Zealand. Data have been collated from 91 cases investigated to date. Statistics and trends regarding various crash configurations such as frontal, side impact and rollovers have been compiled from this data. Injury patterns and scene data associated with these crashes will also be discussed. The study findings will assist in the identification of crash injury trends, emerging vehicle safety problems, as well as confirmation of successful safety developments. Furthermore, a greater understanding of injury biomechanics and possible counter-measures to these injuries may be gained. These data can be used for an in-depth evaluation of modern vehicle crash performance and injury outcomes.