Pedestrian casualties peak in November – PACTS

12.00 | 11 November 2015 | | 3 comments

Pedestrian casualties on Britain’s roads peak in November each year according to analysis from PACTS.

The figures, which were unveiled in PACTS’ latest Constituency Road Safety Dashboard, show that ‘serious pedestrian casualty incidents’ rise from an average low of 397 in August to a peak of 565 in November, an increase of 42%.

The Parliamentary Constituency Road Safety Dashboard, published earlier this year in the run up to the 2015 General Election, is intended to make it easier for MPs to see the road casualty picture in their constituency.

Using information from DfT STATS19, the Dashboard presents information on casualties for residents of the constituency. It also provides an analysis of progress over the last six years, comparing each constituency against the national average. Separate analyses are provided by casualty severity, major road user casualty groups (pedestrians, motorcyclists and car users) and by age groups.

PACTS says the purpose of the Dashboard is to “provide additional specific local information to stimulate action to improve road safety for all road users”.

The latest Dashboard, comparing averages between 2010-14, shows that pedestrians account for more than a quarter (26%) of serious injuries each November.

Casualty rates among car occupants also peak this month, with an average of 832 serious injuries to drivers and their passengers. On average, there are 2,135 serious casualties on Britain’s roads during November.

At 103% above the national KSI average, Banff and Buchan is identified as the parliamentary constituency with the highest serious road casualty rates (between 2012-2014), while Bath has the lowest rate at 53% lower than the national average. The ‘most-improved’ constituency (comparing the period 2009-11 with 2012-14) is Eltham, followed by  Erith and Thamesmead.

The Dashboard suggests that the higher index areas appear more rural in nature and are more prevalent in Yorkshire and North East England; communities in which people are more likely to be reliant on cars for transportation, and where roads permit drivers to travel at faster speeds, often on unlit rural roads with bends where there is a greater risk of run-offs or head-on impacts.

David Davies, executive director of PACTS, said: “The risk to road users is heightened in November as people travel more in periods of darkness.

"PACTS wants to see our roads and vehicles made safer for all road users so

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    All of that Bob – and a low sun to boot. Add the latter with misted or just wet glass and visibility is greatly reduced. Certainly not rocket science.


    Derek Reynolds, Salop.
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    It’s not just the change in the clocks with darker afternoons from 3pm onward but also the increased inclement weather. This includes stronger winds and rain, fog and sometimes ice.

    If ever there was a time to slow and give more space around oneself then autumn and winter into spring is the time to do it. Pedestrians running or walking, head down and shielding themselves from that weather and not looking properly. Drivers unable to see due to misted windows or wet side windows. Unable to have good vision and yet still driving. Add to that the fall of autumn leaves, laying wet on the ground reducing tyre traction. Without drivers/riders/pedestrians understanding all these new possible dangers but using the roads as they would at all other times, one has a recipe for disaster.


    Bob Craven, Lancs. Space is Safe Campaigner.
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    All this analysis. Just how much is down to the changing of clocks, and the oncoming shorter winter days. How much analysis did that need? Stop changing the clocks for one thing, or move nearer the equator.


    Derek Reynolds, Salop.
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