Road deaths reach new low

[Palfrem]

BBC News - UK road deaths fall to record low

I quote:

"Compulsory seatbelts, drink-drive crackdowns and traffic calming measures are thought to have been responsible for the gradual reduction in the annual death toll in recent decades."

But sadly, no credit to all the fine automotive engineers that gave us:

Crumple zones
ABS
Traction control
Emergency brake assist
Airbags
Better tyres
Better lights
etc.
etc.

 

[Colin_b]

No speed limits or 'safety partnerships' claiming credit?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Or indeed less traffic due to high petrol prices and recession.

 

[renault12ts]

The Northern Ireland figures are even more impressive. So far this year, road deaths are running at 41% of this time last year. Last year was a little up on 2008, but this year's figures are still 50% down for the same period in 2008.

http://www.psni.police.uk/daily_fatal.pdf

Look at February !!

 

[BlackC55]

Raise the speed limit to 90mph......on motorways

Worms, can, open

 

[Palfrem]

Is 90 enough?

 

[neilrr]

The de facto speed limit is already 90 on most motorways.

 

[manalishi]

But sadly, no credit to all the fine automotive engineers that gave us:

Crumple zones
ABS
Traction control
Emergency brake assist
Airbags
Better tyres
Better lights
etc.
etc.

Agreed. And the other (huge, IMHO) influence on the falling death rate is the massive improvements in emergency medical care. The skills and knowledge of today's police, paramedics, fire service and A&E depts in how to deal with serious RTA casualties means that fewer and fewer end up in the death statistics.