Wednesday 18th July 2012

Government blamed for increase in road deaths

First upsurge in road fatalities for a decade is down to poor political leadership, says Transport Select Committee

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The Transport Select Committee has slated the government, citing a lack of leadership from the coalition as a main cause of the first increase in annual road deaths in almost a decade.

The report on road safety, published today, also registers alarm that so many cyclists are killed or injured on Britain's roads, and that road fatalities are the biggest killer of adults aged 16-24.

"We are very concerned that 2011 saw the first increase in road fatalities since 2003, with 1901 people killed on the roads," said Louise Ellman, chair of the Transport Committee. "It is shocking that road accidents are the main cause of death amongst young adults aged 16-24 and that so many cyclists continue to be killed or injured."

In 2011 there were 51 more deaths on the road (the most recent published figures) compared with 2010 and, says the committee, "the evidence we gathered suggests the principal factor in improving road safety is robust political leadership". The report also states unequivocally that the ditching of national road safety targets and the devolution of road safety responsibility to local councils is a problem, especially with deep budget cuts and reduced staff numbers at a local level.

But while the government is being criticised for its most recent performance, it is worth noting that road deaths have almost halved since 2003, last year's increase notwithstanding.

You can download the full report on the Commons Select Committee site here, while there's a fascinating infographic that was cooked up by the BBC back in 2009.

^{Pics: Robin Stott and John Firth}

[Yachtworker]

You what?

[raptor600]

What's that got to do with the price of tea in China?

[Benjaminbopper]

Of all the journeys completed each year, I don't think we've got much to worry about. Most of the accidents happen through poor decision making and a disregard for the law, restricting the roads even more will just create more frustration and possibly more accidents.

Make driving tests harder and more inclusive of day to day realities - like the motorway!!!

[redstu]

The BBC infographic was useful , If you are over 66 years old and want to go anywhere the safest time is to by by bike on a B raod between midnight and 6am.

[Fartgalen]

51 more deaths ?!
Out of how many journeys ?
51 million ? 510 million ? 5 billion ?

51's a drop in the ocean.

[suffolk009]

So the total actual number has halved over the last decade. And how many more miles are driven anually now that ten years ago? It's not really a fair statistic to compare finite numbers.

I read somewhere recently that Britain has the safest roads in Europe as a percentage of miles driven.

[Mr Whippy]

Nice bit of statistical noise there.

What next, considering climate change using a drop in the oceans worth of data

[theJT]

Surely 51 deaths in a figure of 1900 is going to be within expected variance? It's like 2.5%.

[Boydie88]

Has anyone looked at the how many extra drivers there were on the road in 2011 compared to 2010? The deaths may well have gone up numerically but may have decreased percentage wise.

[WCZ]

how does this correlate with the increase/decrease in speed cameras?

[leemanning]

Typical 'let's blame the government' scenario. Sick of it.

People need to take some effing responsibility

[iain1970]

Since the demise of the New Labour Government, I've really seen the standard of my driving and riding go down the poop chute because I'm not being continuously reminded to drive carefully anymore. I've been left bereft not having President Blair's comforting and guiding arm round my careless shoulders every waking minute and getting to sleep without Gordon reading me a goodnight story has been really difficult.

Seriously, I've never read such rubbish. Louise Ellman wasn't an asset when she was in charge of Lancashire County Council and she sure isn't an asset to anyone now she's squirmed her way into Parliament. It's political posturing, nothing less.

Labour will be blaming the rain on the coalition next, that's assuming they haven't already looked into how they can pin it on them already.

[Roadster25]

Surely fatalities can't keep on decreasing for ever? There must be some natural level which will never be eradicated, no matter what measures are put in place. Once that level is found there is bound to be some sort of variance year on year.

[Riggers]

theJT said:

Surely 51 deaths in a figure of 1900 is going to be within expected variance? It's like 2.5%.

And in 2010 traffic levels dropped by 2 per cent over 2009...

leemanning said:

Typical 'let's blame the government' scenario. Sick of it.

People need to take some effing responsibility

...Except that in this case it's sort of the government blaming the government. Go figure...

[Dave^]

Boydie88 said:

Has anyone looked at the how many extra drivers there were on the road in 2011 compared to 2010? The deaths may well have gone up numerically but may have decreased percentage wise.

Get out of here with your common sense!!!!

[RenesisEvo]

Roadster25 said:

Surely fatalities can't keep on decreasing for ever? There must be some natural level which will never be eradicated, no matter what measures are put in place. Once that level is found there is bound to be some sort of variance year on year.

'Law of diminishing returns'

[sidaorb]

Bring the speed limit down to 20 mph everywhere.

Ooops sorry thought I was on mumsnet!

OK how about compulsory wearing of cycle helmets, might help that one a little.

Also as I've said before, 18 year old nephew trying to insure his 1st car, base model saxo £3500, VTR saxo £4000, which one is he going to choose. Insurance companies should encourage base model low powered cars to young drivers by giving much cheaper policies.

[Ubernoober]

Trouble is, this "upsurge" in road deaths will simply add fire to the calls to lower the speed limits on so called 'dangerous' country roads.

Already there is a move to reduce speed limits to 40mph - this will just add to it.

Yes, better education, better standards, less stupidity, more consideration would reduce accidents but what chance is there of any of that?

[mwstewart]

Laugh out loud. What's the figure in terms of a percentage of cars on the road, and how much has that figure increased?

Also, driving standards aside, I no longer think it's a safe proposition to cycle on main roads due to the level of traffic. I certainly don't feel comfortable doing it in busy periods, but certainly wouldn't want to stop those who do.

[AyBee]

Am I missing something - at what point did 16-24 year olds hand over responsibility for their own driving/decision making to the government?