Rise in road collisions resulting in death or serious injury

• More than 223,000 road incidents across Britain in just three years
• The proportion of incidents resulting in death or serious injury increased from 24 per cent to 28 per cent over this period
• Driver error is the largest contributing factor in collisions, accounting for two thirds (66 per cent) of serious incidents

New analysis¹ from Churchill Motor Insurance reveals road collisions resulting in death or serious injury are on the rise in the UK.  There were more than 223,000 road traffic incidents across the country between 2018 and 2020, the latest available data. Over this timeframe, the number of incidents resulting in death or serious injury increased from 24 per cent to 28 per cent, equating to 43 more serious events per 1,000 collisions.

Data recorded by attending police officers reveals the most common contributing factor for a collision is driver error or reaction, which was cited in two thirds (66 per cent) of police reports. Behaviour or inexperience, which covers the driver failing to look properly, failing to judge another person’s path or speed, and taking a poor turn or manoeuvre is also a major contributing factor being cited in 23 per cent of incidents. This is followed by injudicious action, which covers exceeding the speed limit, disobeying traffic signals, or performing illegal manoeuvres, which is a factor in 20 per cent of incidents.

External factors, such as vehicle defects (two per cent), vision being affected by external factors (10 per cent) and road environment (12 per cent) are less likely to contribute to accidents than factors within the control of the motorist.

Table one: types of contributing factors leading to road traffic accidents, 2018-2020

Source: Churchill Motor Insurance, 2022

Looking at specific causes of accidents, failing to look properly contributed to nearly 83,000 (37 per cent) collisions over the past three years. This is followed by failing to judge another person’s path or speed (19 per cent), careless, reckless, or hurried driving (16 per cent) and a poor turn or manoeuvre (12 per cent). The top five is completed by loss of control, which contributed to 11 per cent of road traffic accidents.

Table two: Top five accidents contributing factors according to number, share and comparative risk of death or serious injury, 2018-2020

Source: Churchill Motor Insurance, 2022

Churchill Motor Insurance is also highlighting the risks pedestrians face while using the roads.   Pedestrians are most likely to be involved in incidents³ for not looking when crossing the road, crossing on a red light, tripping/falling into the road, or dropping hazards in the road. This may explain why the Highway Code⁴ has introduced a new hierarchy of the road to prioritise pedestrians to improve road safety.

Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: “The rising number of incidents on our roads leading to death or serious injury is deeply concerning. We know the main causes of these incidents are often down to errors and poor reactions, something that could easily be prevented.

“Avoiding alcohol consumption, getting a good night’s sleep, and focusing on the road rather than multi-tasking, can all help motorists have safer journeys and reduce these risk factors. If all road users just take a few extra seconds to check around them for potential hazards, our roads will be a safer place for all.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

¹          Churchill analysis of Department for Travel data looking at contributory factors in reported accidents by severity (RAS50001) and the most common pairs of contributory factors reported together (RAS50006) across Great Britain. Both sets of analysis cover the period 2018-2020 (most recent datasets available).

²           Serious accident risk is determined by the share of incidents resulting in death or serious injury contributed to by a certain behaviour relative to the overall share of incidents contributed to by that behaviour

³          https://www.gowinglaw.co.uk/common-pedestrian-traffic-accidents/

⁴          https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

For further information please contact:

Chelsey Wheeler

Churchill PR Manager

Tel: 01651 832 095

Email: Chelsey.Wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

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