Analysing data obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, the AARC study found that rural NSW communities with a greater proportion of young male residents 15-24 years of age, experienced significantly more alcohol-related traffic accidents than rural communities comparable on all other types of town demographics and characteristics (e.g., male residents over 25 years, female residents 15-24 years, number of police and highway patrol, number of pubs and clubs, and other suppliers of alcohol, and socio-economic status).

These findings indicate that community-members should work together to reduce the level of harm in their community caused by alcohol-related traffic accidents. Inverell mayor Barry Johnston has been working closely with AARC to identify and develop the most effective actions to reduce alcohol-related harm, including traffic accidents.

“It is important that the community is aware of the harms associated with alcohol, but at the same time are also aware of ways to prevent such harms,” he said.

“For example, if you are drinking, it is important that you take responsibility for your safety, and the safety of others.

“By planning ahead before you start drinking, such as planning to go home at a set time, drinking water between alcoholic drinks and selecting a designated driver or utilising the services designed to keep you safe after drinking, such as courtesy buses and taxis, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing alcohol-related harm.”

AARC team member Stephanie Love added: “Given the above data and other data which show that young males typically consume large amounts of alcohol and drinks of high alcohol content, some rural towns have trialled a new harm-reduction strategy.

“In Inverell and Parkes for example, pubs were banned from selling ‘shots’ (high-volume content drinks) either entirely, or after 11pm, since June 2007.”

Ms Love is hopeful that other NSW towns may implement these strategies.

The AARC project is in the final stages of collecting and analysing data which has been collected over the past five years in Inverell and other participating rural towns.

Inverell is working collaboratively with AARC to distribute the findings to members of the community, and to investigate means of implementing the most effective strategies investigated.