The causes of road fatalities

There is anger on the part of motorists who drive past a mushrooming forest of speed cameras. There is a strong suspicion that they are there to raise revenue rather than to reduce accidents.The cameras do have their supporters, however, and there are even more who wish to reduce speeds everywhere.

The apparent motive for both groups is to reduce the number of accidents and the number of deaths on the road. So the question is what contribution to road safety is made by the various methods of speed control.

This is difficult, as we do not know what accidents might have happened in their absence - this is "unknowable". What we do have is the causes of accidents, as estimated by police and the courts. In many cases there are more than one cause, so we are still short of unequivocal information.

This week on his website "The Waendel Journal", Councillor Tony Sharp, gives the details:
- In 2006, excessive speed was reported in 15% of all accidents and in 26% of fatal crashes.
- In 2007 drink-driving was a factor in 6% of all accidents and in 16% of all road deaths.

So we have the situation that excessive speed and drink-driving are each only relatively minor contributory factors. This is no reason to disregard them, - every death and accident is one too many, but it means that we must do more to identify and deal with the other factors.

The presence of police on patrol on our roads would be a good way to start. At present once past a fixed camera, motorists may be tempted to speed until they know of the "approach" of the next fixed camera. Patrolling police could also stop and reprimand or report inconsiderate or other bad driving, as well as catching those speeding.

Anyone found to be guilty of an accident should be required to undergo a period of re-training, and licence penalty points or insurance premiums could encourage greater concentration and thought at the wheel. These are possible sanctions.

Training and re-training should be more comprehensive. Unlike other countries, we do not insist on training lessons on motorways, in darkness and in other road conditions. All drivers must learn and re-learn that it is a massive responsibility to drive a machine which can kill if attention and concentration is not full at all times. This may apply considerably to young male drivers, who may be persuaded to take risks, show-off, or drive with too much alcohol within them, when they are accompanied by some of their peers.

Councillor Sharp is quite right, there is an excessive concern about speed and drink driving, and a relative neglect of attempts to tackle the other causes of accidents and deaths.