Understanding Road Trauma.
Connecting Prevention, Response and Recovery.
Your starting point for road trauma information in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Resource Hub brings practical resources and helpful links together in one place, making it easier to find information about prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and recovery. Browse the topics below and follow the links to the resources you need.
Information for people and communities
Explore at your own pace.
The National Road Trauma Centre Resource Hub is a self-navigation tool that brings together clear, trusted and neutral information about road trauma in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is for people affected by road trauma, families and whānau, professionals and anyone who wants to learn more.
This growing collection of downloadable resources helps people explore and understand the breadth and impact of road crashes, from harm prevention and safe road use through to emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and recovery.
Each resource is designed to be easy to read, print and share. Resources are informed by current evidence, official New Zealand government guidance and evidence-based practice. They support learning and informed conversations but do not replace individual medical advice, emergency assistance or the services provided by government agencies, emergency services and healthcare professionals.
Available downloads below are Word documents (.docx). Your device may download the file or open it in a compatible app.
Safe System Principles and Everyday Road Use
Harm Prevention
Resource 01
Understanding the Safe System Approach
DownloadResource 02
Why Road Trauma Is Preventable
DownloadResource 03
Safer Speeds and Human Vulnerability
DownloadResource 04
Safer Roads and Roadsides
DownloadResource 05
Safer Vehicles for Everyday Road Use
DownloadResource 06
Safe Road Use in Everyday Life
DownloadResource 07
Driving Safely in Adverse Weather Conditions
DownloadInjury, Human Impact and Connected Systems
Understanding Road Trauma
Resource 08
Understanding Crash Risk, Serious Injury and Human Impact
Download not yet available on this page
Resource 09
The Difference Between Minor and Major Trauma
DownloadResource 10
How Road Trauma Affects the Body
DownloadResource 11
System Pressures During High-Risk Periods
Download not yet available on this page
Resource 12
Why Prevention and Response Are Connected
DownloadResource 13
Understanding the Broader Impact of Road Trauma
DownloadUnderstanding the First Response
Emergency Response
Resource 14
What to Do First at a Crash Site
Download not yet available on this page
Resource 15
When to Call 111
DownloadRelated Website Articles
Further Reading
These links open existing website articles. Check the dates and original sources within each article, particularly for policy, legislation and statistics.
Growing the Resource Hub
Resources to Come
We plan to expand the Resource Hub with the following resources, covering support at a crash scene, emergency response, hospital care, primary care, rehabilitation and psychological recovery. These are proposed topics and are not yet available to download. Each resource will be prepared using relevant New Zealand guidance, evidence and specialist review.
- How to Keep Yourself Safe at a Crash Scene
- Helping Without Causing Harm
- Why You Should Not Move an Injured Person
- Motorcyclist Crashes and Helmet Safety
- Protecting Privacy and Dignity at a Crash Scene
- Supporting Children Who Witness a Crash
- What Bystanders Should and Should Not Do
- What to Do After Witnessing a Serious Crash
- Understanding the Emergency Response System
- The Role of Police at a Serious Crash
- The Role of Ambulance and Paramedics
- The Role of Fire and Emergency
- Rescue Helicopters and Rural Trauma Response
- PRIME and Rural Clinical Support
- Triage and Stabilisation
- Transport to Hospital
- Family Communication During Emergency Response
- What Happens Before Arrival at Hospital
- What Happens in the Emergency Department
- Surgery and Specialist Care
- Understanding Serious Injury
- Communicating With Family and Whānau
- Discharge Planning After Hospital
- Questions to Ask Before Leaving Hospital
- Transition From Hospital to Primary Care
- The Role of Primary Care After a Road Crash
- Coordinating Care Between Hospital and Primary Care
- Understanding Referrals From Primary Care
- Ongoing Monitoring and Recovery Planning
- When Something Does Not Feel Right After Discharge
- Your Rights as a Patient and How to Raise Concerns
- Physical Rehabilitation and Recovery After Injury
- Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury After a Road Crash
- What You May Feel After Road Trauma
- Understanding PTSD and Psychological Recovery After Road Trauma
Every Life Matters
About the National Road Trauma Centre
The National Road Trauma Centre is the trading name of the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust, a New Zealand registered charity (CC43668), founded in 2010.
Our purpose is to support the reduction of serious road crashes and facilitate a patient-centred care model that reduces the socio-economic impact of road crashes in New Zealand. Our work connects harm prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and recovery across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Resource Hub supports public education, self-navigation and informed conversations for individuals, families, whānau, communities and professionals. Its information does not replace individual medical advice or the work of emergency services, government agencies and healthcare providers.
Helpful information
Frequently asked questions
What is the Resource Hub?
The National Road Trauma Centre Resource Hub brings road trauma information, educational resources and helpful links together in one place. It helps people explore prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and recovery in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Who are these resources for?
They are for people affected by road crashes, families and whānau, schools, counsellors, community organisations, workplaces, emergency services, healthcare professionals and anyone who wants to understand road trauma.
How do I open a resource?
Select “Download” beneath a resource title. Available files are currently Word documents (.docx), which your device may download or open in a compatible app. Resources without an available download are clearly marked.
Where can I find references and publication dates?
Refer to the individual resource document for its references, publication date and topic-specific information. For linked website articles, check the dates and original sources within the article.
Do these resources replace professional advice?
No. The resources provide general information for education and informed conversations. They do not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or guidance from the relevant professional or agency. For an emergency, call 111.
Who provides the Resource Hub?
The Resource Hub is provided by the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust, trading as the National Road Trauma Centre. Founded in 2010, the National Road Trauma Centre is a New Zealand registered charity (CC43668) working across harm prevention, emergency response, healthcare, rehabilitation and recovery.
How can I suggest a resource or report a problem?
Please contact us if a link does not work, you notice information that may need updating, or you would like to suggest a topic for the Resource Hub.
Support our work
Help make knowledge accessible.
Your donation supports the work of the National Road Trauma Centre, including public education and a connected approach to road trauma prevention, response and recovery.
As a registered charitable trust, we welcome contributions that help us continue our work for people, families, whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Make a DonationRoad Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre · Charity registration CC43668