The report also found, however, that on urban roads with a 30mph
speed limit, 67% of cars exceed the speed and on 40mph roads 26%
of cars exceed the limit. On urban roads 45% of articulated HGVs
exceeded the speed limit, 13% by more than 5mph.
In 1999, sadly, motorcyclist casualties increased by 6% and deaths
by 10%. There was a 16% rise in motorcycle traffic in 1999, however,
which meant that the casualty rate per 100 million vehicle kilometres
actually fell by 8.5%. Motorcycles were the vehicles most likely
to be speeding on 40 mph urban roads, with 38% exceeding the speed
limit and 22% doing so by more than 5 %.
Pedestrian casualties fell by 4.5% in 1999. 13% of all road accident
casualties and 25% of those who died in road accidents were pedestrians.
Serious injuries among pedal cyclists fell by 5% compared to 1998,
however the number of cyclists killed rose to 9%. Cycle traffic
increased by 8% so the rate of casualties per 100 million vehicle
kilometres fell by 8%.
In Great Britain road deaths account for 27% of all accidental
deaths and 45% of child accidental deaths and half of one per
cent of all deaths. For teenagers aged 15-19 the proportion is
72% of accidental deaths and road accidents account for nearly
a quarter of all deaths in that age group in 1999.
Research team set up
A £2 million Department of the Environment Transport and Regions-funded
project which started in August 2000 is expected to become the
best source of accident research data in the world, giving a clear
understanding of the often complex causes of road accidents for
the first time.
The On The Spot (OTS) team of accident investigators (consisting
of 2 expert accident investigators and a skilled police driver)
will be alerted by Police control rooms and the team will be immediately
deployed.
The team will take footage of the accident scene and the data
will focus on four things: 1.The Vehicles (including damage, failures,
features fitted and their contribution), 2 The Highway (Including
design, features, maintenance and condition), 3 The people involved
(including the drivers, passengers and pedestrians and, where
possible, data on the training, experience and driver aspects
that might have influenced the cause of the accident) and 4 The
Injuries sustained. A database for the data has been designed
and the whole procedure already tested.
The research project will lead to substantial road safety benefits
and the collected data will provide information on issues such
as alcohol, fatigue, drugs, driver/rider experience, road user
behaviour or excessive speed and their role as a contributory
factors in accidents. The information collected will contribute
to the development of suitable counter measures.
The start of the OTS has been welcomed by Transport Minister Lord
Whitty; "Through a better understanding of the cause of accidents,
high quality OTS accident research will help reduce the number
of deaths and injuries on our roads. It is a vital step in our
goal to improve safety on our roads for everyone. "Many companies
including vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers have identified
the value of the data and offered their support, with the project
initially lasting for 39 months.
Further information can be obtained from the "Roads Accidents
Great Britain: 1999 the Casualty Report (ISBN 0-11 552253-0) published
by the Stationery Office, price £20, or visit www.press.detr.gov.uk, or call Media enquiries 020 7944 3066; Out of hours: 020 7944
5925 or 5945, Public Enquires Unit 020 7944 3000
