IAM responds to report on decrease in UK road casualties

The UK Institute of Advanced Motorists has responded to the Department for Transport report, Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: quarterly provisional estimates Q2 2015, which claims that there were 1,700 road deaths in the year ending June 2015, down by two per cent compared with the year ending June 2014. Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research said: “It is indeed good news to see that in spite of an increase in volume of traffic by 2.3 per cent that the numbers of casualties has falle
November 5, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The UK 6187 Institute of Advanced Motorists has responded to the 1837 Department for Transport report,  Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: quarterly provisional estimates Q2 2015, which claims that  there were 1,700 road deaths in the year ending June 2015, down by two per cent compared with the year ending June 2014.

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research said: “It is indeed good news to see that in spite of an increase in volume of traffic by 2.3 per cent that the numbers of casualties has fallen by 7 per cent (1). However, fatal accidents on non-built up roads has increased by 7 per cent.

“8101 Highways England has published a vision for zero deaths on trunk roads and we believe this commitment should be adopted by the government for the whole country. The DVSA has stated a desire to encourage lifelong learning in driver and rider training and we firmly believe that with the right framework in place, which recognises the issues faced by road users of different ages, this approach will form a vital part of ensuring that fewer lives are needlessly lost on UK roads.”

Key findings from the report include: A total of 22,830 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI casualties) in the year ending June 2015, down by seven per cent from the previous year. There were 180,500 casualties of all severities in the year ending June 2015, down by seven per cent from the previous year; Motor traffic levels rose by 2.3 per cent compared with the year ending June 2014; Child KSIs decreased by eight per cent to 530 in the second quarter of 2015, the lowest second quarter on record.

Related Content

  • January 31, 2017
    New legislation leads to rise UK drug driving convictions
    In his speech at the National Roads Policing Conference, Roads Minister Andrew Jones announced that 8,500 drivers were convicted of drug driving in 2016, the first full year since the legislation changed in March 2015. In 2014, only 879 drivers were convicted. The new legislation makes it illegal in England and Wales to drive with certain drugs in the body above specified levels, including eight illegal drugs and eight prescription drugs. Those caught drug-driving face a minimum 12-month driving ban, up
    Read More
  • October 22, 2018
    IAM RoadSmart criticises UK Highway Code update proposal
    UK proposals to alter existing advice in a bid to make vulnerable road users (VRUs) safer have been criticised by safety campaigners. The Department for Transport is considering a change to the Highway Code which would mean motorists should give way at all times to pedestrians and cyclists crossing at side roads. But IAM RoadSmart says this does not go far enough – and insists that longer-term measures to keep drivers and cyclists segregated in a safer cycling environment must be introduced. As things
    Read More
  • August 9, 2013
    National Safety Council estimates traffic fatalities down
    Preliminary data collected by the US National Safety Council indicates deaths from motor vehicle crashes during the first six months of 2013 are down 5 per cent, compared to the same six month period last year. In 2013, an estimated 16,620 traffic deaths occurred from January through June, compared to 17,430 in 2012. Definitive reasons behind the decrease are not known. "The Council will be keeping a close eye on our monthly traffic fatality estimates to determine if this decrease is just a blip on the rad
    Read More
  • March 6, 2024
    Aecom seatbelt and phone use trial expanded in England
    More police forces join National Highways’ safety cameras pilot to detect motorists breaking law
    Read More

Highlighted Content