About TAC Surveys and Research
Since 1989 the TAC has had an emphasis on research that leads to road safety and marketing campaigns and programs. These are then evaluated on how effective they have been.
The TAC's Road Safety and Marketing team manages a comprehensive research program that assesses the merits of current campaigns and programs and identifies effective messages for future campaigns. We have a small internal research team with an externally focused approach to research and analysis.
The Road Safety and Marketing team draws on the best Australian and international resources to provide the TAC and Victorian Government with the best insights available. In addition, the TAC invests in road safety research to help ensure its ongoing vitality.
TAC surveys and research
Road Safety Monitor
This survey will be used to measure and track changes in the attitudes and self-reported behaviours of Victorian road users. Surveys are mailed out seven times a year:
- Letters will be sent to a selection of Victorian driver licence and permit holders and/or registered vehicle owners randomly selected from the VicRoads database inviting them to
- complete a paper survey
- complete a survey on line, or
- complete a survey via telephone
- Participants may receive reminders to complete the survey. These reminders are conducted via:
- Letter
- SMS (from Wallis Group)
- Telephone calls
Fieldwork period: Ongoing
Research Partner: Wallis Group
Motorcycle Monitor
This survey will be used to measure and track changes in the attitudes and self-reported behaviours of Victorian motorcycle riders. Sample is randomly drawn from Victorian motorcycle licence and/or registration holders:
- Letters will be sent to a selection of Victorian motorcycle licence and permit holders and/or registered vehicle owners randomly selected from the VicRoads database inviting them to
- complete a survey online, or
- complete a survey via telephone, or
- complete a paper survey
- Participants may receive reminders to complete the survey. These reminders are conducted via:
- Letter
- SMS (from IPSOS)
- Telephone calls
Fieldwork period: Ongoing
Research Partner: IPSOS
In 2014, the TAC committed $8 million to the MUARC Enhanced Crash Investigation Study (ECIS) as part of its strategy to reduce road trauma.
The ECIS study examined more than 400 serious injury crashes in minute detail to gain an indepth understanding of all factors that can contribute to crashes where someone is seriously injured. This TAC funded research initiative looked at more than 5,000 individual pieces of evidence linked to the 400 crashes to investigate the key factors in how crashes occur and the subsequent injuries received in these crashes.
The study will help underpin Victoria's efforts to implement the Safe System approach to road safety. The Safe System aims to prevent road deaths and injuries by ensuring Victorians are safer drivers, driving safer cars, on safer roads and at safer speeds.
Research Partner: Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC)
2022 ECIS Symposium Introduction
TAC CEO Joe Calafiore and TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield introduce the 2022 ECIS Symposium.
2022 ECIS Symposium - Session 1
Presentation by Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris, Monash University.
- Overview of the ECIS
- The Integrated Safety Chain
- Risk factors and counter measure opportunities.
- Part 1 - Pre-crash risk factors.
2022 ECIS Symposium Session 2
Presentation by Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris, Monash University.
- Risk factors and counter measure opportunities continued.
- Crash and injury risk factors.
- Post-crash risk factors.
2022 ECIS Symposium Session 3
Panel discussion and Q&A with:
- Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris - MUARC.
- Libby Murphy - Chief Operations Officer Ambulance Victoria.
- Dr Soames Job - CEO Global Road Safety Solutions.
- Glenn Weir - Assistant Commissioner, Victoria Police.
- Marcelo Vidales - Acting Head, Road Safety Victoria, Department of Transport.
2020 TAC ECIS Symposium
Introduction by Virginia Trioli and presented by Joe Calafiore, TAC CEO
The ongoing challenge and human impact
Presented by Samantha Cockfield, Head of Road Safety at the TAC
ECIS key findings
Presented by Michael Fitzharris, MUARC Associate Director of Regulation and In-depth Crash Investigations
Frontline Emergency Services Panel Discussion
Road Safety Experts and practitioners panel discussion
Enhanced Crash Investigation Study
In 2014, the TAC committed $8 million to the MUARC Enhanced Crash Investigation Study (ECIS) as part of its strategy to reduce road trauma.
The ECIS study examined more than 400 serious injury crashes in minute detail to gain an indepth understanding of all factors that can contribute to crashes where someone is seriously injured. This TAC funded research initiative looked at more than 5,000 individual pieces of evidence linked to the 400 crashes to investigate the key factors in how crashes occur and the subsequent injuries received in these crashes.
The study will help underpin Victoria's efforts to implement the Safe System approach to road safety. The Safe System aims to prevent road deaths and injuries by ensuring Victorians are safer drivers, driving safer cars, on safer roads and at safer speeds.
Research Partner: Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC)
2022 ECIS Symposium Introduction
TAC CEO Joe Calafiore and TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield introduce the 2022 ECIS Symposium.
2022 ECIS Symposium - Session 1
Presentation by Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris, Monash University.
- Overview of the ECIS
- The Integrated Safety Chain
- Risk factors and counter measure opportunities.
- Part 1 - Pre-crash risk factors.
2022 ECIS Symposium Session 2
Presentation by Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris, Monash University.
- Risk factors and counter measure opportunities continued.
- Crash and injury risk factors.
- Post-crash risk factors.
2022 ECIS Symposium Session 3
Panel discussion and Q&A with:
- Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris - MUARC.
- Libby Murphy - Chief Operations Officer Ambulance Victoria.
- Dr Soames Job - CEO Global Road Safety Solutions.
- Glenn Weir - Assistant Commissioner, Victoria Police.
- Marcelo Vidales - Acting Head, Road Safety Victoria, Department of Transport.
2020 TAC ECIS Symposium
Introduction by Virginia Trioli and presented by Joe Calafiore, TAC CEO
The ongoing challenge and human impact
Presented by Samantha Cockfield, Head of Road Safety at the TAC
ECIS key findings
Presented by Michael Fitzharris, MUARC Associate Director of Regulation and In-depth Crash Investigations
Frontline Emergency Services Panel Discussion
Road Safety Experts and practitioners panel discussion
Public Education Evaluation Program
This survey will be used to evaluate the TAC public education program including television advertising, print, on-line, radio and billboards. Participants will be selected by:
- Letters will be sent to a selection of Victorian driver licence and permit holders and/or registered vehicle owners randomly selected from the VicRoads database inviting them to
- complete a survey on line, or
- complete a survey via telephone
- Invitation through a proprietary research panel
Fieldwork period: Ongoing
Research Partner: Wallis Group
Young Driver Research
The TAC is currently undertaking research with drivers aged 18-25 years old. This research will aim to understand young people and their attitudes and behaviours to driving.
Research Partner: Quantum Market Research
View the road safety survey and research reports
Other TAC research
The TAC manages a research program that is concerned with improving outcomes for people injured in transport accidents. More information is available here:
Why social research for Road Safety and Marketing?
The TAC regularly undertakes social research projects to inform its road safety and marketing program. These research projects are typically interested in:
- Opinions of road users about road safety
- The prevalence of high-risk behaviour associated with road use
- The effectiveness of the TAC's marketing and road safety programs and
- Emerging issues of concern and casting light on road safety issues that are not fully understood.
Surveys - how people are chosen to participate
Our surveys are conducted using a range of recruitment methods with an emphasis on random selection and minimising any risk of bias. These include:
- Random selection from VicRoads database containing licence holders and owners of registered vehicles, then recruitment by mail or telephone where a phone number is available. Visit the VicRoads website to read their privacy statement.
- Random selection of injured road users from TAC compensation database, in conjunction with the Client Research Team and in accordance with the TAC Research Charter
- Random landline telephone numbers
- Random mobile phone numbers
- Lists of email addresses from proprietary on-line research panels
Participating in our surveys is always voluntary and we provide flexible options for completing surveys, plenty of time to complete surveys, reminders and prizes. While this may increase the costs of conducting the research this is outweighed by the need to conduct high quality research based on representative samples of Victorians.
Have you have been contacted for TAC surveys or other research?
Participation is voluntary and the TAC is grateful to you for giving up your time to contribute to the Road Safety & Marketing research program.
The TAC demands a high standard from its research partners, and expects that you will have a positive experience. Please contact us if you have any concerns about the way the survey or research has been conducted.
Your privacy is guaranteed. The TAC does not know who participates in its surveys, and your personal details that were used to contact you are not linked to your survey responses.
You may be asked if you would be happy to be contacted for future TAC road safety research. If you agree, your contact details will be stored by the TAC for up to three years. If we contact you later to invite you to participate in some more research you will be free to refuse to participate. At any time you can contact us to have your name removed from our list.
Do you want to opt out of TAC research?
If you don't want to be contacted by the TAC for future Road Safety and Marketing research, please let us know via email.
Please bear in mind, however, that for some research recruitment methods, such as randomly dialling a telephone number, the TAC has no way of knowing who it is contacting.
