Local brain injury data highlights need for community awareness

13 Aug 2013

More than 4,000 people across Victoria are living with a brain injury caused by transport accident, the latest Transport Accident Commission (TAC) data shows.

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for TAC, Gordon Rich-Phillips released the data today, at the start of National Brain Injury Awareness Week. 

"Many of these people will need lifetime care from the TAC to help them work towards living independent lives.

"On average, their medical and support needs will cost more than $2 million over their lifetime.

"Knowing this many people in our local community need our support is a reminder of why our road safety programs and campaigns exist."

A recent Monash University Accident Research Centre study found that side airbags were highly effective in preventing death and injury in side impact crashes.

The analysis showed that side curtain airbags led to a 61 per cent reduction of injury to the head, neck, face and thorax.

Mr Rich-Phillips said the Victorian Coalition Government's 10 year road safety strategy had a particular focus on serious injury, with more work underway to better understand and reduce serious injuries on Victoria's roads.

Find out more at www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au. 

Active Claims - Location of Residence by Accident Year (data as at June 2013)