The Medical journal of Australia
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Precise data on levels of prescribing of psychoactive and other drugs by general practitioners have recently become available in Australia (Rowe, 1973a, b; Bridges-Webb, 1972). However, there has been little or no research into possible determinants of prescribing behaviour, for example, age, social background, work load, the nature of the practice, education and colleague networks. ⋯ There would seem to be good reason to investigate these aspects in Australian practices. A pilot study carried out in Canberra in 1972 suggests that a short structured questionnaire administered in a face-to-face interview could provide the necessary data.
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Compulsory seat belt wearing, first introduced in the world in Victoria in 1970, has effectively reduced the number of deaths and injuries for car occupants involved in motor vehicle crashes, whilst those for the unprotected pedestrian and pedal and motor cyclist have continued to increase. This legislation does not apply to children under the age of eight years, only 5.5% of whom travel restrained in motor cars, and their death and injury patterns remain unchanged. Seat belts offer the most remarkable protection for car occupants involved in frontal-impact collisions. ⋯ These include fracture of the clavicle, bruising and fracture of the sternum, cardiac tamponade, abdominal contusions and bowel lacerations. Seat belts, to be fully effective, must be fitted correctly. There is definite room for improvement in seat belt design.