Road accidents in 2007 at all time low
24/11/08 13:36 Filed in: Granite
Chips
Scotland’s road accident statistics just released
for 2007 show yet another reduction in deaths and injuries on
Scotland’s roads. But – against the background of recent fatalities
among young drivers, passengers and pedestrians in the North East –
the statistics are little comfort.
Since 1997, road accidents have fallen by 25 per cent whilst road traffic volume increased by 16%.
The statistics analyse the contributory factors most often reported for fatal accidents:
These factors are notably different from the analysis of accidents in the UK in 2005.
The UK figures had failure to look properly as the top accident cause, noted in a third of all accidents – compared with 18% in these Scottish figures.
Across the UK in 2005 exceeding the speed limit was a contributing factor in only 5% of accidents, compared with 11% in these figures.
- In 2007 there were 281 deaths on Scotland's roads, a reduction of 11% on 2006 and the lowest figure ever since records began in 1950.
- There were 2,375 people seriously injured in on Scotland’s roads in 2007. This is also 11% fewer than in 2006, and the lowest number since records began.
Since 1997, road accidents have fallen by 25 per cent whilst road traffic volume increased by 16%.
The statistics analyse the contributory factors most often reported for fatal accidents:
- loss of control - 40% of all fatal accidents for which Contributory Factors were recorded
- travelling too fast for the conditions - 18%
- driver/rider failed to look properly - 18%
- driver/rider careless / reckless / in a hurry - 15%
- poor turn or manoeuvre - 12%
- exceeding speed limit - 11%
These factors are notably different from the analysis of accidents in the UK in 2005.
The UK figures had failure to look properly as the top accident cause, noted in a third of all accidents – compared with 18% in these Scottish figures.
Across the UK in 2005 exceeding the speed limit was a contributing factor in only 5% of accidents, compared with 11% in these figures.