Only 3 of 47 deaths caused by speed - police target eyesight
Discussion
According to the BBC, the South Wales police have been conducting random eye tests on drivers. This is a good idea IMHO and makes a change from the usual speed kills stuff.
Interestingly the story also includes the quote "in Gwent last year there were 47 deaths and the police consider only three of those to be related to speed - the rest is driver error"
The full story is
here
Excerpt from the full story (I've had to snip bits out because it was too long)
Police pilot motorists' eye tests
Some of the first roadside eye tests in the UK have been carried out on motorists in south Wales.
Drivers were asked to read four number plates at different distances to see if their eyesight is good enough.
New drivers' sight is checked when they sit their test, but it does not need to be examined again until they are 70.
(snipped by me)
There are concerns that many motorists are driving with poor sight which is leading to accidents, deaths and serious injuries.
Drivers taking part in the test were asked to read four number plates which are placed at 10m, 15m, 20m (the minimum required) and 25m. If the driver is unable to read the closest number plate as part of the survey, the police have said they will not prosecute them but will stop them from driving home and ask them to sit an eye test.
Within an hour of the tests being carried out, one driver was found to be unable to read the closest number plate, but after putting on his glasses he could see the furthest.
(snipped by me)
Gwent Police, the National Public Health Service and Gwent Healthcare Trust arranged to carry out the survey. Chris Potter, public health director of Newport Local Health Board, said: "What we want to do is find out how big a problem this is.
"At the moment we don't have any solid information about if this is a problem or not. The government has a target to reduce deaths and serious injuries (on the roads) by 10% by 2010."
"The rate has been coming down and the emphasis has been about speed.
"But in Gwent last year there were 47 deaths and the police consider only three of those to be related to speed - the rest is driver error.
"And we don't know if some of these are because of poor sight. We just want to know if bad eyesight is a problem on the roads or not."
(snipped by me)
Inspector Glyn Fernquest of Gwent Police said: "Although driving without the required vision is an offence which can carry a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points, our aim in this survey is to gain a better understanding of the likely size of the problem, and to encourage regular vision checks."
Interestingly the story also includes the quote "in Gwent last year there were 47 deaths and the police consider only three of those to be related to speed - the rest is driver error"
The full story is
here
Excerpt from the full story (I've had to snip bits out because it was too long)
BBC Story said:
Police pilot motorists' eye tests
Some of the first roadside eye tests in the UK have been carried out on motorists in south Wales.
Drivers were asked to read four number plates at different distances to see if their eyesight is good enough.
New drivers' sight is checked when they sit their test, but it does not need to be examined again until they are 70.
(snipped by me)
There are concerns that many motorists are driving with poor sight which is leading to accidents, deaths and serious injuries.
Drivers taking part in the test were asked to read four number plates which are placed at 10m, 15m, 20m (the minimum required) and 25m. If the driver is unable to read the closest number plate as part of the survey, the police have said they will not prosecute them but will stop them from driving home and ask them to sit an eye test.
Within an hour of the tests being carried out, one driver was found to be unable to read the closest number plate, but after putting on his glasses he could see the furthest.
(snipped by me)
Gwent Police, the National Public Health Service and Gwent Healthcare Trust arranged to carry out the survey. Chris Potter, public health director of Newport Local Health Board, said: "What we want to do is find out how big a problem this is.
"At the moment we don't have any solid information about if this is a problem or not. The government has a target to reduce deaths and serious injuries (on the roads) by 10% by 2010."
"The rate has been coming down and the emphasis has been about speed.
"But in Gwent last year there were 47 deaths and the police consider only three of those to be related to speed - the rest is driver error.
"And we don't know if some of these are because of poor sight. We just want to know if bad eyesight is a problem on the roads or not."
(snipped by me)
Inspector Glyn Fernquest of Gwent Police said: "Although driving without the required vision is an offence which can carry a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points, our aim in this survey is to gain a better understanding of the likely size of the problem, and to encourage regular vision checks."
It's encouraging to see something other than speed being targeted, but I wonder if the S.Wales SCP will claim the deaths occurred because the drivers with poor vision couldn't see their cameras!
The latest form their website. It really is laughable!
S.Wales speed camera partnership said:
At fixed camera sites, the number of killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties has fallen by 66 per cent when compared with the same time period before safety cameras were introduced at the sites. Mobile camera sites show a similar reduction with a 61 per cent drop in the number of KSI casualties. This means that there were 504 fewer people killed or seriously injured at speed camera sites.
There was also a 24 per cent reduction in personal injury collisions (PICs) at fixed and mobile camera sites in Mid and South Wales, representing 604 fewer collisions.
Overall speeds driven by motorists have slowed dramatically at fixed camera sites in the Partnership area. The percentage of motorists driving above the speed limit was reduced by 54.7, with a 7.4mph fall in average speeds
There was also a 24 per cent reduction in personal injury collisions (PICs) at fixed and mobile camera sites in Mid and South Wales, representing 604 fewer collisions.
Overall speeds driven by motorists have slowed dramatically at fixed camera sites in the Partnership area. The percentage of motorists driving above the speed limit was reduced by 54.7, with a 7.4mph fall in average speeds
The latest form their website. It really is laughable!
public health director said:
"But in Gwent last year there were 47 deaths and the police consider only three of those to be related to speed - the rest is driver error.
Two things jump out at me:
1) "related to" doesn't mean is caused by or was a contributor
2) “speed” = inappropriate speed within the limit as well as exceeding the speed limit
Dorset Police are targetting eating and drinking whilst driving as they say it is a major cause of accidents. It appears that just about anything you do whilst driving can, according to the experts, be a major cause of accidents and injuries. I thought child car seats, or the lack of them, is a major cause and of course excessive speed is in there somewhere! I'm getting confused but better not say that out loud, as I am sure there is an expert who will tell me that is a major cause of accidents.
Speed ist related to outcome. We cannot dispute kinetic force or physics.
However, driver adjusts according to conditions und again we are back to the COAST model ... POWER model und the driver as manager of himself as he or she knows if he feel "fit" to go to work or operate machinery und driving a car .. well
.. you are "operating machinery" 
So .. safety - realy safety to do with COAST/LOOKOUT skills, attention to POWER.. und a personal audit of fitness to do the job.
Which include our obligation to check our eyesight regularly = each two years at least.
It include knowing when to take that short holiday from work.. knowing when to take the short chill out break.. spacing the hols.. knowing yourself. in mind und body as well as being in tune with family needs.
Ja. We know .. not easy to determine .. und maybe some need a bit of help in the "step back" from a job und misplaced loyalties to a boss .. und be aware that under EU/UK law - all EU residents have right to at least 20 days annual leave outside of "Banks".
Do not be afraid of asserting right to take this leave. Ist there for reason all humans need this break from their work regardless of what they do und what employer want
being in tune with car's "health" as well.
However, driver adjusts according to conditions und again we are back to the COAST model ... POWER model und the driver as manager of himself as he or she knows if he feel "fit" to go to work or operate machinery und driving a car .. well
.. you are "operating machinery" So .. safety - realy safety to do with COAST/LOOKOUT skills, attention to POWER.. und a personal audit of fitness to do the job.
Which include our obligation to check our eyesight regularly = each two years at least.
It include knowing when to take that short holiday from work.. knowing when to take the short chill out break.. spacing the hols.. knowing yourself. in mind und body as well as being in tune with family needs.
Ja. We know .. not easy to determine .. und maybe some need a bit of help in the "step back" from a job und misplaced loyalties to a boss .. und be aware that under EU/UK law - all EU residents have right to at least 20 days annual leave outside of "Banks".
Do not be afraid of asserting right to take this leave. Ist there for reason all humans need this break from their work regardless of what they do und what employer want
being in tune with car's "health" as well.
rewc said:
Dorset Police are targetting eating and drinking whilst driving as they say it is a major cause of accidents. It appears that just about anything you do whilst driving can, according to the experts, be a major cause of accidents and injuries. I thought child car seats, or the lack of them, is a major cause and of course excessive speed is in there somewhere! I'm getting confused but better not say that out loud, as I am sure there is an expert who will tell me that is a major cause of accidents.
Perhaps there's a grain of truth in this. This would indicate that there is no single cause. In truth, apart from driver error there is a large range of causes each one of which is important but not overwhelming compared to the others. Sadly this message has been lost in the propaganda.
Ach.. it seem from the "Dawn Patrol" prog 
that the Cardiff lot stopped drivers und asked them to read number palets from 5 metre, 10 metre, 15 metre und 20 metre.
If they could not read the nearest one.. they stopped from driving "until they take eye test at optician" (I thought there was a fine und an endorsement on licence...
? Perhaps lieber von will be along in a blink of an eye und tell us what the law ist on this
Anyway.. they allowed some of the drivers who failed this test to continue once they got out their glasses und put them on
If optician say you need the glasses to drive ...then you wear them und some of these glasses are dead cool too.
that the Cardiff lot stopped drivers und asked them to read number palets from 5 metre, 10 metre, 15 metre und 20 metre. If they could not read the nearest one.. they stopped from driving "until they take eye test at optician" (I thought there was a fine und an endorsement on licence...
? Perhaps lieber von will be along in a blink of an eye und tell us what the law ist on this Anyway..
they allowed some of the drivers who failed this test to continue once they got out their glasses und put them on If optician say you need the glasses to drive ...then you wear them und some of these glasses are dead cool
too.voyds9 said:
The problem is that the public will not believe they need specatcles to drive. I regularly tell them they need spectacles to be greeted with, I don't have a problem, I can see, I only drive in the day, I only drive places I know, and the best excuse yet it's OK I only drive a van. 
Have an optician friend who reckons a vast proportion of the UK's driving poluation should have their licences void unless they have their eyesight tested & corrected with lenses. The people who walk through her door are the ones who get lost because they can't see the signposts only then will they come in
cptsideways said:
voyds9 said:
The problem is that the public will not believe they need specatcles to drive. I regularly tell them they need spectacles to be greeted with, I don't have a problem, I can see, I only drive in the day, I only drive places I know, and the best excuse yet it's OK I only drive a van.
Have an optician friend who reckons a vast proportion of the UK's driving poluation should have their licences void unless they have their eyesight tested & corrected with lenses. The people who walk through her door are the ones who get lost because they can't see the signposts only then will they come in
It's scary. My partner just got specs for the first time (age 27) and her prescription is very weak, but I was sure she needed them as she could not see signs when I could! Now she can't drive without them now she realises what perfect vision is like... I bet many people don't realise their eyes are not 100%
I recently had my contact prescription updated by 0.25 dioptre's (weakest jump) in one eye and I could really tell when driving that my eyes were "out" a bit... the difference is stunning, more so in the dark and wet!
What worries me is people who HAVE glasses and know how clear they make things, then simply ignore to use them when needed! Those people with glasses but not wearing them should have been bloody kicked up the arse! It's just waiting for an accident to happen, I can't see it being any more different than having a few pints and getting in the car if your eyes are that bad you need driving glasses to start with!
Dave
A recent statement from Chief Inspector Billshut of the Keystone Cops said:
"Recent in-depth surveys have found that virtually all road traffic accidents are caused by vehicles that are moving. Despite this we are finding that the roads are full of moving vehicles. The only way to prevent this continuing carnage on our roads is to stop all vehicles from moving. To this end we shall be opeating a zero-tolerance policy on moving vehicles and any vehicles found to be moving will be seized and crushed. Despite public criticism of our policies by those who wish to travel, we can see no reasons for allowing moving vehicles to exist on our roads".
This statement was welcomed by BRAKE and Transport2000. Weary Melliams of BRAKE said in a statement: "At last we have someone who is prepared to talk sense in respect of the huge number of accidents caused by moving vehicles. These will now be stopped in the region controled by the Keystone Cops. The real cause of accidents has now been properly identified"
A spokesman for the AA said nothing, as usual.
"Recent in-depth surveys have found that virtually all road traffic accidents are caused by vehicles that are moving. Despite this we are finding that the roads are full of moving vehicles. The only way to prevent this continuing carnage on our roads is to stop all vehicles from moving. To this end we shall be opeating a zero-tolerance policy on moving vehicles and any vehicles found to be moving will be seized and crushed. Despite public criticism of our policies by those who wish to travel, we can see no reasons for allowing moving vehicles to exist on our roads".
This statement was welcomed by BRAKE and Transport2000. Weary Melliams of BRAKE said in a statement: "At last we have someone who is prepared to talk sense in respect of the huge number of accidents caused by moving vehicles. These will now be stopped in the region controled by the Keystone Cops. The real cause of accidents has now been properly identified"
A spokesman for the AA said nothing, as usual.
cooperman said:
A recent statement from Chief Inspector Billshut of the Keystone Cops said:
"Recent in-depth surveys have found that virtually all road traffic accidents are caused by vehicles that are moving. Despite this we are finding that the roads are full of moving vehicles. The only way to prevent this continuing carnage on our roads is to stop all vehicles from moving. To this end we shall be opeating a zero-tolerance policy on moving vehicles and any vehicles found to be moving will be seized and crushed. Despite public criticism of our policies by those who wish to travel, we can see no reasons for allowing moving vehicles to exist on our roads".
This statement was welcomed by BRAKE and Transport2000. Weary Melliams of BRAKE said in a statement: "At last we have someone who is prepared to talk sense in respect of the huge number of accidents caused by moving vehicles. These will now be stopped in the region controled by the Keystone Cops. The real cause of accidents has now been properly identified"
A spokesman for the AA said nothing, as usual.
"Recent in-depth surveys have found that virtually all road traffic accidents are caused by vehicles that are moving. Despite this we are finding that the roads are full of moving vehicles. The only way to prevent this continuing carnage on our roads is to stop all vehicles from moving. To this end we shall be opeating a zero-tolerance policy on moving vehicles and any vehicles found to be moving will be seized and crushed. Despite public criticism of our policies by those who wish to travel, we can see no reasons for allowing moving vehicles to exist on our roads".
This statement was welcomed by BRAKE and Transport2000. Weary Melliams of BRAKE said in a statement: "At last we have someone who is prepared to talk sense in respect of the huge number of accidents caused by moving vehicles. These will now be stopped in the region controled by the Keystone Cops. The real cause of accidents has now been properly identified"
A spokesman for the AA said nothing, as usual.
Peter, in a further statement Chief Superintendent Al Jolson was heard to sing out the praises of his force for immobilising all the traffic cars because they were fed up with the engines falling out and the wheels coming off!
Stopping them from moving would solve this problem permanently.
Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff