What are the main causes of fatal road accidents?

Road traffic accidents, or RTAs as they are often known, are a major cause of disruption to businesses as well as representing a danger to life and health, and with more than 40 million cars on our roads, there’s an ever-increasing chance of being involved in an RTA. But what are the main causes, and how can you mitigate the risks? 

Human error is stated as being top of the list of causes of 95% of all road traffic incidents and those errors are due to a range of factors, including alcohol/ drug consumption, inexperience, tiredness and illness, distraction, and just a general lack of attention. But besides driver error, there are other external forces that you should be aware of.  

What type of vehicles are involved in fatal accidents?

It may seem that a motorcycle is the least safe choice of transportation in the world, the one that will get you injured or killed faster than other motor vehicles out there, but with only 10% of fatal accidents involving a motorcyclist, compared with 21% involving a car, it’s just not the case. 

Manoeuvrability is one of the main factors worth considering when determining the safety characteristics of cars and motorcycles. While the layers of sturdy metal do protect the car driver and the car’s passengers against an impact, they hinder the vehicle’s manoeuvrability. That is why motorcycles, which are far more manoeuvrable than passenger cars, have an upper hand when it comes to avoiding a collision. 

When do most fatal accidents occur?

Two thirds of fatal accidents occur in the darkness, even with 60% fewer vehicles on the road. Driving either just before sunrise (dawn) or immediately after sunset (dusk) are also very dangerous time periods on the roadways, and many car accidents occur during these times.  The problem is that while the sky is still well lit, the roads begin to get dark.  This causes a disparity between light and dark and can cause vision problems for drivers. 

And despite being aware of the heightened risk, over half of motorists and motorcyclists admit to not driving or riding more cautiously in dark conditions. Of course whether you choose to ride during the day or night, it’s important to have comprehensive motorbike insurance, should the worst happen. 

What speed to fatal road accidents occur?

According to new research from Carole Nash, they discovered that fatal car crashes are more likely to take place on slower speed roads of just 21 to 30 mph compared to motorists driving at higher speeds on motorways.  

Almost sixty percent or over 16,000 fatal crashes took place at speeds of under 30mph despite the slower speeds. Data from the Department for Transport shows that a total of 14,306 drivers were killed in 2019 on roads where the limit was just 21-30mph.

Motorways are in fact the safest roads to travel on, with only 3%  of accidents occurring over 70mph. Thanks to smart motorways and speed cameras, drivers are more aware when driving on motorways when compared with more residential areas – where drivers are more likely to drive on ‘automatic pilot’.