Stats only cover half of the headline

2 minute read  |  July 7, 2016

The report also went on to highlight the number of people seriously injured on UK roads was three per cent lower compared with 2014.

While these numbers may provide a quotable headline, this is not the full story. In truth, when you split the data and look at the individual components you get an altogether different picture.

Road user type	Fatalities 2014	Fatalities 2015	% change
Car	797	755	-5%
Pedestrian	446	409	-8%
Motorbike	339	365	+8%
Cyclist	113	100	-12%

 

The table above shows a decline in the number of fatalities across three of the four categories; car, cyclist, pedestrian, with motorbike fatalities being the only category to have increased. There were 26 more deaths compared to the previous year, accounting for 21 percent of all road deaths in 2015.

While the number of fatalities has reduced in some areas, it’s important to note that traffic volume on all road types actually increased in 2015.

• Motorway traffic: 2.6%
• Rural ‘A’ roads: 2.4%
• Urban ‘A’ roads: 0.7%
• Other rural roads: 2.0%

Vehicle traffic levels also rose 1.6 per cent between 2014 and 2015, meaning that instead of the number of fatalities reducing, they are merely evening out when you take into account the greater number of vehicles on the road.

Motorbikes still at risk

Even with the perceived reduction in fatalities across other categories, bikers are still at great risk of accidents, despite numerous ad campaigns aimed at drivers to be more aware.

The number of seriously injured motorcyclists has changed very little, with 5,037 serious injuries in 2015, compared to 4,866 in 2013. The increase in serious injuries could be a mixed bag, with accidents involving motorcyclists still being consistently high, but safety standards of helmets and other road safety wear becoming more effective.

The number of motorbikes on the road is only expected to increase as drivers face an even greater level of traffic during their daily commutes.

It’s not a win

Regardless of traffic levels, a greater number of vehicles on the road, or a small but steady reduction of deaths per year, the loss of 1,732 lives per year is still unacceptable.

A life is a life, whether that’s a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, biker, or car driver and the priority should be on road safety.

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