Road safety is a shared responsibility, and the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) is committed to driving positive change through innovative initiatives and partnerships.
As part of our role, we support programs that help keep the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme affordable and sustainable. This includes funding initiatives to prevent road crashes and reduce the impact of road trauma by improving the recovery of those involved.
We work with a range of partners to address key road safety issues, such as drink driving, speeding, tailgating, rear-end crashes, and motorcycle safety. By bringing together different perspectives, we aim to build strong research networks, avoid duplication, and focus on the most important areas for improving road safety. This research provides the evidence needed to shape better policies and interventions that save lives and reduce injuries.
Explore our initiatives below to learn more about how MAIC is working to create safer journeys for everyone.
Projects
- Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) — Braking the Cycle program
Young drivers remain overrepresented in motor vehicle accidents resulting in Queensland CTP claims, so we continue to invest in initiatives that improve young driver safety. A key focus is our support for PCYC’s ‘Braking the Cycle’ learner driver mentor program, which helps disadvantaged people complete the 100 supervised driving hours required to be eligible for a driver licence by providing access to a mentor and vehicle. This proactive approach helps reduce unlicensed driving and the higher crash risks associated with it.
Projects
- University of Queensland — Assessing older drivers pilot
Assessing fitness to drive in older Queenslanders is a complex and increasingly important road safety issue. General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact; however, existing assessment tools can be time‑consuming or difficult to access. This project aims to develop a practical screening toolkit that GPs can readily use to assess patients’ sensory, motor, and cognitive capacity for safe driving.
Projects
- Smart bumper sticker pilot
A pilot initiative that uses a “smart bumper sticker” aimed at reducing tailgating and rear-end crashes on Queensland roads. MAIC has partnered with iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to develop and test this cutting-edge technology. Read more about the pilot on the iMOVE website.
Projects
- University of Sunshine Coast — Specialised drug driving unit
The University of the Sunshine Coast Road Safety Research Collaboration specialised drug driving unit is focused on advancing positive road safety outcomes with a focus on addressing the problem of impaired driving from multiple perspectives.
Projects
- Transport New South Wales — MotoCAP
MotoCAP performs evidence-based testing of motorbike riding gear to inform riders about its safety, breathability and water resistance. - MAIC/Griffith Road Safety Research Collaboration — Evaluating and enhancing Q-Ride pre-learner motorcycle course
MAIC has partnered with Griffith University and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to fund an evaluation of the QRide and QSafe programs and motorcycle trainers, to improve safe operation and rider skills in Queensland.
Projects
- Queensland Trucking Association and Griffith University — First on Scene pilot program
The First on Scene pilot program was specifically designed to equip heavy vehicle drivers with essential first aid and crash scene management skills. As part of the initiative, a resource booklet titled The Glovebox Guide was developed. Intended to be conveniently stored in the vehicle, this guide serves as a quick reference tool, reinforcing critical steps and messages for drivers to follow if they encounter a crash scene. - Department of Transport and Main Roads and Griffith University — Learner drivers and heavy vehicles pilot
With young drivers overrepresented in road injury and fatality statistics in Queensland, this project focuses on their interactions with heavy vehicles. The findings will inform the review of the Graduated Licensing System to enhance novice driver training.
Projects
- Department of Transport and Main Roads — Cooperative and Highly Automated Driving pilot
The Cooperative and Highly Automated Driving (CHAD) pilot seeks to broadly identify the potential impacts of introducing cooperative and automated vehicles (CAV) on Queensland roads. This pilot includes two research vehicles, ZOE1 and ZOE2, and a local expertise base to conduct a comprehensive safety study and deliver on its objectives to grow government and stakeholders’ technical and organisational readiness, as well as increase public awareness of the CAV technologies through public demonstrations. - Department of Transport and Main Roads — ARC Training Centre for Automated Vehicles and Remote Regions
Commencing in 2025, the ARC brings together industry and research institutions to drive fundamental research and development supporting the safe implementation of automated transport systems in targeted settings. This five‑year funding agreement includes key partners such as the Department of Transport and is hosted by QUT.
Projects
- Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) — Braking the Cycle, Changing Gears pilot
Braking the Cycle – Changing Gears is an adapted program designed to support the specific cultural and learning needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living within remote communities. The program provides equitable access to licensing, reduces instances of unlicensed driving, improves road safety outcomes, supports re-education of drivers who have been issued with an infringement that could lead to a licence suspension, and improves well-being, connection, and employment opportunities through community mentoring and volunteerism.
Research centres
- MAIC-QUT: Road Safety Research Collaboration (previously CARRS-Q)
The MAIC/QUT Road Safety Research Collaboration is a Queensland University of Technology-based research centre. The centre analyses behavioural patterns to develop countermeasures to prevent injury, and is committed to achieving real and long-term results by providing evidence-based information to policymakers, industry and the community. - MAIC/University of the Sunshine Coast Road Safety Research Collaboration
The MAIC/University of the Sunshine Coast Road Safety Research Collaboration conducts research aimed at providing evidence for improving road safety in Queensland and Australia. The research program occurs across four closely interlinked themes: Substance use and self-regulation; Rule compliance, enforcement and behaviour change; Neurocognition and fitness to drive; Road safety data and technology. - MAIC/Griffith University Road Safety Research Collaboration
The MAIC/Griffith University Road Safety Research Collaboration is focused on critical areas where evidence can save lives: motorcycle safety, work-related driving, driving and decision making in adverse weather, and fleet operations – from heavy vehicles and rideshare to grey fleet and motorhome tourism.