The Centre was established as a joint venture of the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC)[1] and QUT, and also receives funding from competitive research grants for specific projects.

CARRS-Q's stated vision is "for a safer world in which injury-related harm is uncommon and unacceptable",[2] which it works toward by conducting research, training road safety professionals, and giving awards to other organisations or individuals for successful road safety initiatives.

The instrumented 4WD is equipped with sensors such as a multimedia datalogger, physiological devices (EEG, ECG and EMG), laser scanner, radars and eye trackers.

[8] It is based on a Holden Commodore sedan that was donated for the purpose, and sits on a six degrees of freedom motion platform.

[9] The Queensland Road Safety Awards (QRSA) were first held in the year 2000[10] and are a joint initiative of CARRS-Q and the RACQ to "recognise and honour the outstanding efforts of individuals and groups who have started projects or programmes to improve safety on Queensland roads".