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There is no doubt that vehicles are getting safer. Anti-lock braking, Electronic Stability Control, front and side airbags, lane sensors and run flat tyres are just a few of the developments that the manufacturers have brought to market in recent years.
So you would assume that fatalities on the road would be falling dramatically wouldn't you?
Well according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT), while they are falling, it's not by much.
In the year ending September 2011, there were 1,900 people killed and 24,430 killed or seriously injured in reported road accidents. This represents a fall of less than 0.5 percent for fatalities and a fall of 4 percent for fatal and seriously injured casualties.
In previous years we have seen a much greater decline in road deaths and injuries than this, so it seems that despite falling levels of traffic on the roads (down 0.7 per cent compared to the previous 12 month period) any reduction in accident levels is flattening out.
This just shows that there is absolutely no room for complacency when it comes to road safety; especially when you look at all road users and not just those on four wheels.
For example, the figures show that the total number of reported pedal cycle casualties rose by 4 percent in the last 12 months, and the number killed or seriously injured rose by 8 percent.
So if you're a modern road user, these can be dangerous times and none of us can take safety for granted. Every driver must look at their own behaviour and take every possible step to reduce their road risk and that of others.
While the Government has an important role to play to ensure that the parameters that we all operate within are the right ones. Whether that means reviewing speed limits, improving road layouts and condition, effective enforcement of the law or launching awareness campaigns; we all have an important responsibility.
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