The number of kids killed or seriously injured on UK roads has risen for the first time in 20 years, according to the most current figures from the Division for Transport.
Final year, 2,060 young children under the age of 16 were killed or seriously injured, a 3% enhance on 2013.
Fatal or critical road casualties involving children enhanced in each and every quarter of 2014 compared with the same periods in 2013, the very first jump in rolling year-on-year comparisons considering that the 12 months ending in March 1995.
There was also an improve in the total quantity of child casualties, up 6% on 2013 at 16,640.
Nevertheless, deaths or severe injuries among kid pedestrian dropped by 1% over the identical period. This suggests most of the deaths and injuries happen in automobiles.
Grim reading
The statistics make grim reading, even though officials claim it is also early to say if the figures mark the finish of the lengthy-term downward trend in child deaths and significant injuries.
Some experts blamed parents and other adults for failing to correctly secure their children in vehicles.
Edmund King, president of the AA, says: “These latest road casualty statistics indicate a clear rise in in-vehicle kid casualties. There is anecdotal proof to suggest this could be linked to the failure of parents to appropriately fit their children’s child seats.
“There is also separate research showing that some parents might not be keeping their kids belted-up in the back of the vehicle.”
In-car safety
A recent study by the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory discovered that 13% of kid passengers had been not properly restrained, compared with just 1.9% of drivers caught with out a seatbelt.
A survey by consumer group Which? also highlighted the possible danger of ill-fitting kid seats.
It’s not just children who are at danger on the roads. The total number of road deaths at 1,730 was 1% greater than the preceding year.
There was also a 4% enhance in the number of individuals killed or seriously injured on the roads at 24,360. There have been 192,910 reported road casualties of all severities, 5% greater than last year.
Worsening statistics
Even if you take into account a 2% rise in motor traffic levels, the overall casualty rate per car mile increased by 3%.
Cyclists are specifically vulnerable. There have been 3,500 pedal cyclist deaths or significant injuries in the year ending September 2014, an enhance of 8% on the earlier year.
Motorcyclist deaths and critical injuries were also up 6% to 5,490. The number of car customers 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 globe, with 40% fewer road deaths a year than a decade ago.
But campaigners are not convinced. The Institute of Advanced 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 safety strategy amid mounting concern about road safety, specifically for cyclists and children.
20-20 vision
Brake is calling for a alter 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 permit new drivers to develop abilities and expertise progressively 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 creating safer streets and communities for all.”
Shock reverse in road fatalities
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