This report considers excessive speed as a contributory (not precipitating) factor to personal injury accidents in some areas of the UK between 1999 and 2002. Excessive speed is recorded as a contributory factor to 12 per cent of all accidents and 28 per cent of fatal accidents. Two-wheeled motor vehicles were involved in a higher proportion than cars of accidents where excessive speed contributed, with younger drivers also featuring more in car accidents at excessive speed. Accidents were more likely to take place on rural roads. Excessive speed was a less important contributory factor to accidents precipitated by a pedal cyclist or pedestrian. It was the seventh most commonly recorded contributory factor in accidents overall, and the most commonly recorded in fatal accidents, indicating that excessive speed may be a major factor determining the severity of injuries and likelihood of death.
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