New DfT stats showing no drop in fatal crashes 06
Discussion
Hello all, I got this PR from Brake this morning regards some stats from the DfT. Thought it might make interesting reading. (I'm not promoting Brake by any means!) Apologies if there is already a thread with this info on it.
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Brake reaction to road casualty statistics published today, showing no drop in fatal crashes
The Department for Transport this morning released provisional 2006 estimates for Road Casualties in Great Britain, showing no drop in the number of fatal crashes and, for the third consecutive year, a rise in cyclist deaths.
Brake, the national road safety charity, is calling for urgent Government action to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in road crashes. Today’s statistics show that in 2006, the number of deaths and serious injuries only decreased by 2% from the previous year and the number of fatal crashes increased marginally. In 2006, 3,150 (P) people were killed and 28,390 were seriously injured, compared to 3,201 deaths and 28,954 serious injuries in 2005. The number of fatal crashes increased from 2,913 in 2005 to 2,920 in 2006.
Road deaths have barely fallen over the past decade. The Government’s road safety strategy aims for a 40% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2010 (compared to a 1994-8 baseline). Although on track to reach this target (deaths and serious injuries have so far fallen by 34% since the baseline), the number of people killed on our roads has fallen by a pitiful 12% since the baseline. Brake is urging the Government to set a separate target for reducing fatal crashes, where reductions are still shockingly small.
Brake is also alarmed that cyclist deaths have increased again. Cyclist death rates have increased every year for three years running. Altogether, the number of cyclists killed has risen by a horrifying 32% since 2003.
Click here to see the full Transport Statistics Bulletin, which includes provisional statistics on road casualties in Great Britain in 2006, as reported by police.
Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at Brake, says: “It is a disgrace that there are still nine deaths on our roads every day and alarming that these deaths have not fallen significantly in recent years. Deaths among cyclists are actually on the increase. While there are still speeding drivers and people drunk, drugged or unlicensed behind the wheel, we will continue to see appalling carnage on our roads. The Government must wake up to the urgent need for off-road cycle paths, compulsory 20mph limits around our homes and schools and an increased and on-going crackdown on law-breaking and dangerous drivers.”
Deaths and serious injuries among pedestrians have also remained at similar levels to 2005 (2% decrease). Brake believes much more could still be done to protect our communities. Click here for more information on Brake’s flagship ‘Watch out there’s a kid about!’ campaign and click here for links to other relevant Brake campaigns such as ‘Licensed to Kill’, ‘Beware! Justice Ahead’ and ‘Police our Roads’.
This year, child pedestrian and cyclist safety is the focus of Brake’s annual Road Safety Week (5-11 November 2007). Local communities around the country will be taking part in initiatives to urge drivers to slow down around schools and homes and Brake will be hosting national and regional media launches to call for measures to protect children on foot and bikes. Click here for more information about Road Safety Week 2007.
Note: (P) Provisional estimates, rounded to the nearest 10
For interviews with Brake call Brake Communications Officer Dianne Ferreira on 01484 559909 or 07976 069 159 (out of hours)
Notes for editors:
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Brake reaction to road casualty statistics published today, showing no drop in fatal crashes
The Department for Transport this morning released provisional 2006 estimates for Road Casualties in Great Britain, showing no drop in the number of fatal crashes and, for the third consecutive year, a rise in cyclist deaths.
Brake, the national road safety charity, is calling for urgent Government action to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in road crashes. Today’s statistics show that in 2006, the number of deaths and serious injuries only decreased by 2% from the previous year and the number of fatal crashes increased marginally. In 2006, 3,150 (P) people were killed and 28,390 were seriously injured, compared to 3,201 deaths and 28,954 serious injuries in 2005. The number of fatal crashes increased from 2,913 in 2005 to 2,920 in 2006.
Road deaths have barely fallen over the past decade. The Government’s road safety strategy aims for a 40% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2010 (compared to a 1994-8 baseline). Although on track to reach this target (deaths and serious injuries have so far fallen by 34% since the baseline), the number of people killed on our roads has fallen by a pitiful 12% since the baseline. Brake is urging the Government to set a separate target for reducing fatal crashes, where reductions are still shockingly small.
Brake is also alarmed that cyclist deaths have increased again. Cyclist death rates have increased every year for three years running. Altogether, the number of cyclists killed has risen by a horrifying 32% since 2003.
Click here to see the full Transport Statistics Bulletin, which includes provisional statistics on road casualties in Great Britain in 2006, as reported by police.
Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at Brake, says: “It is a disgrace that there are still nine deaths on our roads every day and alarming that these deaths have not fallen significantly in recent years. Deaths among cyclists are actually on the increase. While there are still speeding drivers and people drunk, drugged or unlicensed behind the wheel, we will continue to see appalling carnage on our roads. The Government must wake up to the urgent need for off-road cycle paths, compulsory 20mph limits around our homes and schools and an increased and on-going crackdown on law-breaking and dangerous drivers.”
Deaths and serious injuries among pedestrians have also remained at similar levels to 2005 (2% decrease). Brake believes much more could still be done to protect our communities. Click here for more information on Brake’s flagship ‘Watch out there’s a kid about!’ campaign and click here for links to other relevant Brake campaigns such as ‘Licensed to Kill’, ‘Beware! Justice Ahead’ and ‘Police our Roads’.
This year, child pedestrian and cyclist safety is the focus of Brake’s annual Road Safety Week (5-11 November 2007). Local communities around the country will be taking part in initiatives to urge drivers to slow down around schools and homes and Brake will be hosting national and regional media launches to call for measures to protect children on foot and bikes. Click here for more information about Road Safety Week 2007.
Note: (P) Provisional estimates, rounded to the nearest 10
For interviews with Brake call Brake Communications Officer Dianne Ferreira on 01484 559909 or 07976 069 159 (out of hours)
Notes for editors:
Some other stats to add to the mix....
Comparing 2006 to 2005:
Road casualties were down 5% and killed or seriously injured casualties were down 2%
Road accidents were down 5%
Road traffic was an estimated 1% higher
Pedestrian, motorcycle and car user casualties showed a reduction of 7%, 7% and 4% respectively. The number that were killed or seriously injured fell by 2%, 2% and 3% respectively.
During the same period pedal cycle casualties showed an overall reduction of 2%, but the number of killed or seriously injured casualties increased by 2%.
The number of child casualties fell by 9% and killed or seriously injured casualties fell by 6%.
Against the 2010 targets (ie comparing 2006 against the targets defined by the 1994 to 1998 baseline):
The number of people killed or seriously injured was 34% below the baseline (target is 40%)
The slight casualty rate per 100 million vehicle kilometres was 26% below the baseline (target is 10%)
The number of children killed or seriously injured was 53% below the baseline (target is 50%)
We can all pick and choose the stats we use. Or produce
Comparing 2006 to 2005:
Road casualties were down 5% and killed or seriously injured casualties were down 2%
Road accidents were down 5%
Road traffic was an estimated 1% higher
Pedestrian, motorcycle and car user casualties showed a reduction of 7%, 7% and 4% respectively. The number that were killed or seriously injured fell by 2%, 2% and 3% respectively.
During the same period pedal cycle casualties showed an overall reduction of 2%, but the number of killed or seriously injured casualties increased by 2%.
The number of child casualties fell by 9% and killed or seriously injured casualties fell by 6%.
Against the 2010 targets (ie comparing 2006 against the targets defined by the 1994 to 1998 baseline):
The number of people killed or seriously injured was 34% below the baseline (target is 40%)
The slight casualty rate per 100 million vehicle kilometres was 26% below the baseline (target is 10%)
The number of children killed or seriously injured was 53% below the baseline (target is 50%)
We can all pick and choose the stats we use. Or produce
surely every year there are more cars on the road than the previous. i dont know how many but im sure someone will. as a result of this the chances of accidents increases relative to the increase in cars on the road.
rather than nannying us into driving more slowly how about people just accept that people die on the roads. i know i do and if i do i wont be sueing the govt for not protecting me and if brake ever considered using me in an advertising campaign i would be sure to haunt them.
rather than fining people how about educting the 'tards into driving properly and thus reducing incompetence which will lead to less crashes.
rather than nannying us into driving more slowly how about people just accept that people die on the roads. i know i do and if i do i wont be sueing the govt for not protecting me and if brake ever considered using me in an advertising campaign i would be sure to haunt them.
rather than fining people how about educting the 'tards into driving properly and thus reducing incompetence which will lead to less crashes.
mattyb123 said:
surely every year there are more cars on the road than the previous. i dont know how many but im sure someone will. as a result of this the chances of accidents increases relative to the increase in cars on the road.
God it's boring, but you want page 118 onwards from this (4Mb) document
www.dft.gov.uk/162259/162469/221412/217792/221429/transportstatisticsgreatbrit.pdf
mattyb123 said:
rather than fining people how about educting the 'tards into driving properly and thus reducing incompetence which will lead to less crashes.
Couldn't agree more. Lots of folks think that
reaching the Government required minimum
skill level is enough.
There is a whole lot more to the driving skill
than that minimum level.
It also wouldn't hurt to build more of
the safest type of roads - motorways.
No one wants one in their backyard, but
they do save lives and time.
J500ANT said:
Funny how the dft (presumably) chose today, the day when Mr T Blair sprung his surprise leaving on us, to release these figures.
Very perceptive. Definitely a good day to bury bad news. And now it's Gordon's problem! Not one of his bigger worries, I'm sure. Things will carry on as usual -- cameras, HATOs, placatory words, the odd eye-catching initiative, but it's fairly low-level compared to inflation, Iraq, NHS, which ancient right to erode next, etc, etc.
dcb said:
mattyb123 said:
rather than fining people how about educting the 'tards into driving properly and thus reducing incompetence which will lead to less crashes.
Couldn't agree more. Lots of folks think that
reaching the Government required minimum
skill level is enough.
There is a whole lot more to the driving skill
than that minimum level.
There is more to good driving than the minimum, but in reality they are right though. It is enough as there is no actual requirement to do any more than that & the vast majority actually want to have as little instruction as possible.
Most learners will want to know how few lessons they can get away with in order to pass the test.
dcb said:
It also wouldn't hurt to build more of
the safest type of roads - motorways.
No one wants one in their backyard, but
they do save lives and time.
You're right people don't want them in their back yard & they cost a lot of money.
vonhosen said:
You're right people don't want them in their back yard & they cost a lot of money.
I'd rather see taxpayers' money spent on motorways than fighting wars. Maybe some of the police currently policing the resulting terrorist threat could police them!
I'm sure there's lots of other services that would have benefitted as well! What a balls up.
Edited by alphadog on Thursday 10th May 20:28
Problem with funding these idiots so they can preach to the great unwashed is that eventually they will start to believe them, to the detriment of road safety.
Because someone is providing them with the answers, they stop thinking altogether like some of the good folk of Colchester...
Because someone is providing them with the answers, they stop thinking altogether like some of the good folk of Colchester...
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