The quantity of youngsters killed or seriously injured on UK roads has risen for the 1st time in 20 years, according to the most recent figures from the Department for Transport.
Last year, 2,060 children beneath the age of 16 have been killed or seriously injured, a 3% improve on 2013.
Fatal or critical road casualties involving kids improved in each quarter of 2014 compared with the very same periods in 2013, the initial jump in rolling year-on-year comparisons since the 12 months ending in March 1995.
There was also an enhance in the total quantity of kid casualties, up 6% on 2013 at 16,640.
Nevertheless, deaths or critical injuries amongst child pedestrian dropped by 1% more than the very same period. This suggests most of the deaths and injuries happen in cars.
Grim reading
The statistics make grim reading, despite the fact that officials claim it is also early to say if the figures mark the finish of the lengthy-term downward trend in youngster deaths and serious injuries.
Some authorities blamed parents and other adults for failing to appropriately secure their youngsters in vehicles.
Edmund King, president of the AA, says: “These most current road casualty statistics indicate a clear rise in in-auto kid casualties. There is anecdotal evidence to recommend this could be linked to the failure of parents to appropriately match their children’s kid seats.
“There is also separate study showing that some parents may possibly not be keeping their youngsters belted-up in the back of the car.”
In-car security
A current study by the UK’s Transport Analysis Laboratory located that 13% of kid passengers have been not correctly restrained, compared with just 1.9% of drivers caught with out a seatbelt.
A survey by customer group Which? also highlighted the potential danger of ill-fitting kid seats.
It is not just children who are at threat on the roads. The total quantity of road deaths at 1,730 was 1% higher than the earlier year.
There was also a 4% increase in the quantity of folks killed or seriously injured on the roads at 24,360. There had been 192,910 reported road casualties of all severities, 5% higher than final year.
Worsening statistics
Even if you take into account a 2% rise in motor site visitors levels, the overall casualty price per car mile enhanced by 3%.
Cyclists are especially vulnerable. There have been 3,500 pedal cyclist deaths or severe injuries in the year ending September 2014, an improve of 8% on the earlier year.
Motorcyclist deaths and significant injuries have been also up 6% to 5,490. The quantity of vehicle users who were killed or seriously injured rose by 3% to 8,770.
Blame game
Robert Goodwill, transport minister, was anxious to defend the government’s safety record, claiming that Britain’s roads are amongst the safest in the planet, with 40% fewer road deaths a year than a decade ago.
But campaigners are not convinced. The Institute of Sophisticated Motorists suggests that a reduce in the number of traffic police could clarify the rise in casualties.
Road security charity, Brake, desires the government to implement a 3-point road security strategy amid mounting concern about road safety, specifically for cyclists and children.
20-20 vision
Brake is calling for a change in the default urban speed limit to 20mph and the introduction of a zero-tolerance drink drive limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood.
It also desires to introduce graduated driver licensing, to allow new drivers to develop skills and knowledge gradually whilst exposed to less danger.
Julie Townsend, Brake’s deputy chief executive, says: “We’re in no doubt these measures would place us back on the path of stopping needless loss of life on our roads, and generating safer streets and communities for all.”
Shock reverse in road fatalities
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