This report analyses the trends in fatal car accidents in the United Kingdom from the 1994-98 baseline in relation to targets for casualty reduction. While the number of serious casualties has declined, the number of fatalities has not decreased in parallel. The excess deaths come from car occupants and motorcyclists. Among car drivers, fatalities arise predominantlyamong the young, on A-class rural roads but increasingly on urban roads. Loss of control accidents and drink driving accidents have increased between 1999 and 2004. Studies of this problem showed that risk taking among young male drivers, and increased frailty in older drivers increased fatality rates. The mean risk of death in car to car collisions is halved for drivers of newer cars. Sport utility vehicles and 'people carrier' cars and newer cars are more likely to overturn than other types of cars. Head and chest injuries were most likely to lead to fatality. Eighty per cent of deaths occur at the scene of the accident or before admission to hospital. The disadvantaged in society had a higher fatality rate as vehicle occupants than those with higher incomes. Changes in safety belt use over the study period did not explain fatality trends. Recommendations to reduce accident fatalites are made. (Author/publisher)
Abstract