The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Mike Waters' Blog: 31 July 2012 - A concerning trend
Date: 31 July 2012
Some people do dangerous jobs, but for most of us the closest it feels that we get to danger at work is using a shredder.
However, statistically the biggest risk that the majority of us face on a daily basis is driving - a point worryingly reinforced by the latest safety stats.
The figures published by the Department for Transport show that in 2011, road deaths rose by 3% (the first increase since 2003) and that serious injuries rose by 2% (the first increase since 1994).
In addition, car occupant deaths rose by 6%, pedestrian deaths by 12% and serious injuries among cyclists by 16%.
This is really disappointing, especially given that we were used a trend of improvement in vehicle related injury.
In many ways it also comes as a surprise - vehicles continue to become safer and there hasn't been an increase in the amount of traffic on the roads, so drivers must take a large amount of responsibility for this.
It is a downward trend that all stakeholders must look to improve. The latest research from the Corporate Vehicle Observatory shows that many companies now take responsibility for the safety of business drivers but there must be those that don't.
The Government has a key role to play in setting policy, raising awareness and allocating resources, as do all road users who must minimise their own risk and that of others.
New safety technology continues to flood onto the market and pretty much all-new vehicles now score well in the NCAP testing but it's not enough.
A safe car quickly becomes a dangerous one if it is driven recklessly or not properly maintained.
Be alive to the danger that comes with driving, and as the figures reinforce, there really is no room for complacency.
Follow BusinessCar on TWITTER.
