S2E20 PnP Milad Haghani on Suicide and Road Safety

This People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast explores a confronting but crucial topic — suicides in the transport system and their exclusion from Australia’s official road safety data. Host Wendy speaks with Professor Milad Milani, whose research shines a light on intentional road crashes, a hidden part of our road trauma story.

Together, they unpack the challenges in identifying and classifying suicide-related crashes, and how this affects both prevention and support. They discuss statistical patterns, vulnerable demographics, and why it's essential to include these incidents in road safety strategies. This sensitive conversation about suicide runs until 17:38.

From 17:38 onward, the discussion shifts to the broader landscape of road safety improvements in Australia — particularly progress made up until 2023. However, Milad explains how this progress is now under threat with the increasing presence of much larger vehicles on suburban streets, posing new and growing challenges for vulnerable road users.

This is a powerful and timely conversation that calls for open dialogue, more compassionate systems, and stronger policies that respond to emerging risks on our roads.

Connect with Milad https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4267932/

We chat about recent articles Milad has published in The Conversation.

• Suicide or accident? The hidden complexities of intentional road crashes in Australia https://theconversation.com/suicide-or-accident-the-hidden-complexities-of-intentional-road-crashes-in-australia-248673
• Australian roads are getting deadlier - pedestrians and males are among those at greater risk https://theconversation.com/australian-roads-are-getting-deadlier-pedestrians-and-males-are-among-those-at-greater-risk-256994
• Drivers of SUVs and pick-ups should pay more to be on our roads. Here’s how to make the system fairer https://theconversation.com/drivers-of-suvs-and-pick-ups-should-pay-more-to-be-on-our-roads-heres-how-to-make-the-system-fairer-252381
• Even calm people can fly into a rage behind the wheel. Here’s how to curb your road rage – before it’s too late https://theconversation.com/even-calm-people-can-fly-into-a-rage-behind-the-wheel-heres-how-to-curb-your-road-rage-before-its-too-late-244402
• Most car-ramming incidents aren’t terrorism – but they’re becoming more common and crowds need better protection https://theconversation.com/most-car-ramming-incidents-arent-terrorism-but-theyre-becoming-more-common-and-crowds-need-better-protection-257628
• In Australia, 1 in 5 road deaths is a motorcyclist. We can make them safer https://theconversation.com/in-australia-1-in-5-road-deaths-is-a-motorcyclist-we-can-make-them-safer-250652
• Here’s why some people still evade public transport fares – even when they’re 50 cents https://theconversation.com/heres-why-some-people-still-evade-public-transport-fares-even-when-theyre-50-cents-249739
• E-bike popularity is booming. But are they as safe as regular bikes? https://theconversation.com/e-bike-popularity-is-booming-but-are-they-as-safe-as-regular-bikes-242703
• Electric car sales have slumped. Misinformation is one of the reasons https://theconversation.com/electric-car-sales-have-slumped-misinformation-is-one-of-the-reasons-240545

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