teabelly wrote:
What are the biggest cause of accidents?
The 2010 figures show that 'Failed to look properly' 40% is the highest cause of accidents :
[url=http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/road-accidents-and-safety-annual-report-2010/rrcgb2010-00.pdfDft - Annual Report 2010 rrcgb2010[/url] wrote:
Failed to look properly was again the most frequently reported contributory factor and was reported in 40 per cent of all accidents reported to the police in 2010.
There were a total of 208,648 casualties of all severities in road accidents reported to the police, 6 per cent lower than in 2009. 1,850 people were killed, 17 per cent lower than in 2009, 22,660 were seriously injured (down 8 per cent) and 184,138 were slightly injured (down 6 per cent). Motor vehicle traffic fell by 2 per cent over the same period.
The number of fatalities fell for almost all types of road user, with a fall of 21 per cent for car occupants, 19 per cent for pedestrians, 15 per cent for motorcyclists. Pedal cycle fatalities rose by 7 per cent.
Summary
This article describes the scope and limitations of the information on contributory factors collected as part of the national road accident reporting system (STATS19), and presents results from the sixth year of collection.
Failed to look properly was again the most frequently reported contributory factor and was reported in 40 per cent of all accidents reported to the police in 2010. Four of the five most frequently reported contributory factors involved driver or rider error or reaction. For fatal accidents the most frequently reported contributory factor was loss of control, which was involved in 34 per cent of fatal accidents.
Pedestrian failed to look properly was reported in 60 per cent of accidents in which a pedestrian was injured or killed, and pedestrian careless, reckless or in a hurry was reported in 25 per cent of accidents.
Exceeding the speed limit was reported as a factor in 5 per cent of accidents, but these accidents involved 14 per cent of fatalities. At least one of exceeding the speed limit and travelling too fast for the conditions was reported in 12 per cent of all accidents and these accidents accounted for 24 per cent of all fatalities.
The contributory factors system has been developed to provide some insight into why and how road accidents occur. Contributory factors are designed to give the key actions and failures that led directly to the actual impact to aid investigation of how accidents might be prevented.
The factors are largely subjective, reflecting the opinion of the reporting police officer, and are not necessarily the result of extensive investigation. Some factors are less likely to be recorded since evidence may not be available after the event. While this information is valuable in helping to identify ways of improving safety, care should be taken in its interpretation.
Drinking and Driving
It is estimated that in 2010, 9,700 reported casualties (5 per cent of all road casualties) occurred when someone was driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit.
The provisional number of people estimated to have been killed in drink drive accidents was 250 in 2010 (14 per cent of all road fatalities), a decrease of 130 fatalities (35 per cent) compared to final 2009 estimates.
First estimates of Q1 (First Quarter) of 2011 are
here.
As motorists we all learn to differing degrees how to deal with distraction - a road sign or glance at something that momentarily diverts your attention can all be dealt with carefully and safely at your own discretion and with care are of no significant alteration to your safety and those around you.
When distraction happens and diverts your attention, at a least opportune moment that is when it might become less than safe. it might not be dangerous and depending upon your reaction and time diverted will depend on outcome. Your own capability and decisions toward this distraction will depend on many factors.