September 26, 2008

Figures released yesterday showed that 229 fewer people were killed on the UK’s roads in 2007 than 2006.  This reduction took the total number of fatalities below 3,000 for the first time since records began. 

While this is obviously very positive news the drop in deaths of young people has been a highlight, showing real progress being made, in both education and enforcement.  The statistics show 72 less young drivers losing their lives behind the wheel in 2007.

The total number of road deaths numbered 2,946, a 7% reduction on last year.  The total number of car user deaths was 1,432 with 588 motorcycle users perishing on the road.  These figures show an 11% reduction for car users and 3% for motorcycle riders. 

Advances in car safety have no doubt contributed to these figures, if anything they confirm how car centric the changes have been.  Many cars offer great safety for the occupants but little for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. 

Motorcyclists may only have 40% of the number of fatalities that car drivers suffer, but when you consider how many fewer people travel by motorcycle than by car the figures show the need to remain thoughtful of alternative transport choices.  Car journeys cover over 72 times as many miles as motorcycle miles annually, so clearly a lot of work needs to be done to reduce the risk associated with riding a motorcycle.

Motorcycle traffic has steadily risen since the 93-98 baseline was set.  In that time two wheel traffic has risen by 44%, so while fatalities are still disproportionally high when compared to car users, the figures show some progress being made for safety of motorcyclists.   According to the report there are around one and a quarter million motorcycles on the road in the UK, compared to over twenty eight million cars. 

The RAC Foundation commented that high profile safety campaigns, encouraging positive attitudes towards road safety among those at the start of their driving careers, are the main factor behind these improvements.

They highlight areas that need attention.

* bad driving: one-third of accidents in 2007 were caused by "failure to look properly."
* Drink-driving: drivers over the limit for alcohol caused 16% of all road deaths in 2007
* Distractions: recent RAC Foundation research* has underlined the massive road safety problems caused by using mobile phones behind the wheel.

These issues can only be realistically dealt with by consistent, high-profile enforcement of the law by expert traffic police.

Sheila Rainger, deputy director of the RAC Foundation said: "It is a pleasure to be able to commend young drivers for making such a huge improvement in road safety. However, the road safety community must continue working to ensure this is a sustained improvement and not a flash in the pan."

While it’s great that car deaths are on the slide more needs to be done to cater for those injured outside the car.  Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists must be the focus of future incentives.

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