Introduction
This report details an in-depth analysis of UK's current car accident trend on a yearly basis. This report also studies factors on the reasons behind the current trend and how these factors may affect further years ahead. Our study goes by the theory that we will see a further increase in car accidents over the coming years.
This report concludes with explaining what are the main causes of car accidents and includes our experienced advice on how to avoid overall car collisions.
Reported Road Casualties Trend 2016 (Latest Figures)
After studying the total reported road casualties yearly reports from 2011 being the first year of the study, we were able to find a surprising development. From 2011 - 2013, we found reported total casualties to drop from 203,950 total casualties to 138,660. All 3 years you will find the number decreasing.
However, from 2014 - 2016, that number increased back to a total of 181,384 reported casualties in 2016. By looking at the graph above, it seems that overall the number of total casualties in car accidents has decreased over time, however, I would argue that this number is going back on the rise due to a few factors.
"I would argue that this number is going back on the rise due to a few factors"
All results were founded from the Department of Transport's National Statistics report which you can also view by clicking on the hyperlinks above.
Number of Cars Increasing Substantially
One of the reasons behind what we believe to be a further rise in car accidents over the coming years is the substantial increase in the number of cars being driven. With more drivers on the road, the more chances of there being an accident.
Based on the article submitted by the BBC, we found that the number of cars on England's roads had risen by 1.6 million between just 2011-2015 hence the alternative being public transport is being used far fewer than before. Whereas, if we see these stats for a longer period, between 1995-2015 the number is a whopping 21 million.
With the new fuel saving electric cars being introduced and the government promoting no congestion charge to these economic vehicles, this might be persuading new drivers to believe that it is more cost effective to drive an electric car than to use the public transport. If you add the added bonus of higher wage rates being implemented nationally that we keep hearing on the radio, this might have been the final nudge for everyone to think more optimistically about owning their own car.
"With more drivers on the road, the more chances of there being an accident"
Uber Drivers - The Rise of Private Hire Drivers & PCO Licenses
Photo by Alexander Schwarz on Unsplash
Another clear reason as to why we believe there will be far more cars being driven on the streets of London and a rise in the number of car accidents in England over the coming years is simply how popular it has become to be a private hire driver.
Department of Transport provided in their national statistics that "The total number of licensed taxi and private hire vehicles and licensed drivers in England reached record levels in 2017." We are currently at 281,000 PCO licensed vehicles currently operating in England.
We predict this number to increase regardless of the negative press Uber has been receiving as in the end they must be doing something right if they have so many drivers initiating with them every day. If you read our article 'What is the current trend in private hire and taxi collisions in London?', you'll find our points on why we believe there is a high chance of private hire drivers getting into car accidents.
"The total number of licensed taxi and private hire vehicles and licensed drivers in England reached record levels in 2017"
Top Reasons Why Car Accidents Occur
The current top 5 list to major causes of car accidents are:
- Failure to look properly
- Failing to judge another person's path and/or speed
- Being careless, reckless or in a hurry
- Losing control
- Drink driving
Other than the top 5, there seems to be a creeping cause that could most probably make it to the top 5 list in the coming years as we believe it to be the number one reason as to why car accidents can increase. Driving while fatigued.
Serious Injury Law goes into great details about how each cause contribute to it being part of the top 5 list of major causes of car accidents with their article "5 major causes of UK road traffic accidents and how to avoid them".
To ensure you avoid getting into car accidents is to simply not do the above points and you should be good to go, however, if you are ever unfortunate enough to get into a non fault car accident then we urge you to learn "What to do if you are in a road traffic accident" and to contact us straight away so that we can ensure you're on top of your claim.
Conclusion
Based on the points explained above, we believe that the current increasing trend of road traffic accidents will continue to increase in the coming years. Although there were other factors to consider, the points raised are the most contributing to our theory.
Any reasons as to why this trend could go down is if there were strictness in obeying the national speed limit on motorways and if public transport prices could go down which we do not see happening anytime soon.
