This chapter reviews the development of British road accident statistics from 1909 on, discusses current statistics in more detail, and presents some comparable statistics from other countries. Between 1909 and 1928, only the numbers of fatal and non-fatal accidents were recorded, broken down by the vehicle to which the accident was attributed. More detailed data about fatalities were then collected, and, in 1937, the system was extended to injury accidents. After a temporary reduction in the collection of accident statistics during World War 2, a new national system was established in 1949, based on the `Stats 19 form', which was designed to be completed at the scene of the accident or very soon after. The long and stable history of the Stats 19 system after then has enabled accident totals to be traced over many years, so that trends can easily be identified. Since 1949, the trends have shown the steady reduction of various accident rates. The chapter then reviews the effects of the three types of road safety developments: (1) those affecting personal behaviour; (2) safer construction and maintenance of road vehicles; and (3) improving the road environment. Accident rates for different types of road user, of different sexes and ages, are charted. International fatality rates are compared.
Samenvatting