Inattention and Speed: Primary Factors in Australian Truck Crashes

The 2025 report, published during Safe Work Month, reveals that inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed remain the most frequent human factors contributing to major truck incidents. Notably, there has been a modest reduction in these categories compared to the previous year. Data indicates that incidents attributed to inattention or distraction accounted for 17.9% of major truck crashes in 2024, reflecting a 1.6% decrease from 2023.

Dr Jasmine Proud from Monash University's Accident Research Centre highlighted that these incidents are predominantly single-vehicle crashes, suggesting that the transport sector is well-positioned to address this issue internally. She noted that the slight decline in such incidents is encouraging but emphasised the need for continued focus on mitigating these risks.

The report also identifies inadequate following distance as the second most common human factor in truck crashes, with 80% of these incidents occurring in metropolitan areas. These events typically involve another vehicle, often a passenger car, highlighting the challenges of interactions between heavy and light vehicles in urban environments.

Additionally, the frequency of crashes related to inappropriate speed has declined over the past five years, dropping from 13.8% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2024. This trend suggests that efforts to address speed-related issues are yielding positive results. However, the report notes that such incidents are not limited to high-speed environments; factors such as vehicle stability, load movement, and the design of articulated trucks play a role, particularly when navigating curves.

These findings underscore the importance of ongoing education, training, and policy interventions aimed at reducing inattention and speed-related incidents. By addressing these key factors, the transport industry can continue to improve safety outcomes for all road users.