RAC reacts to 'truly shocking' new road casualty statistics

Following the publication today of new data covering reported road casualties to the year ending September 2016RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said:

“A 22% increase in the number of children killed or seriously injured on British roads between July and September 2016 compared to the same period the year before is truly shocking. And, an estimated 2% rise in child casualties of all severities is yet more reason to worry.

“In the 21st century this seems utterly wrong so we need to understand as a matter of priority why these increases have occurred and take action to save young lives before more are lost.

“It is also very concerning – even against a picture of a 1.4% rise in traffic levels – that the figures for all road casualties are showing a 6% increase in the number of people who were killed or seriously injured in the year ending September 2016. Sadly, among the worst increases were 10% more car occupants being killed or seriously injured along with 5% more motorcyclists and 2% more cyclists.

“If there is a silver lining, it is that that all severity casualties are down by 4% and the overall casualty rate per vehicle mile is down by 5%, however some of the recent quarterly spikes require some serious attention.”

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The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to more than 14.5 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

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