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Driver error is 13 times more dangerous than breaking the speed limit, report reveals
By Ray Massey Last updated at 5:52 PM on 18th April 2011

Driver error is 13 times more likely to contribute to an accident than breaking the speed limit — which plays a part in just one in 20 accidents, new research from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals.

And errors are nearly five times more likely than speeding to be a factor in a fatal smash — with ‘failure to look properly’ to blame in more than a third of all crashes and a fifth of fatal ones.

Road safety experts described such inattention as ‘shocking’.
Crash dummy: Breaking the speed limit plays a part in just one in 20 accidents, new research from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals

Crash dummy: Breaking the speed limit plays a part in just one in 20 accidents, new research from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals

Driving at an ‘inappropriate speed for the conditions’ — even when strictly within the legal limit — also contributes to more accidents than speeding, detailed analysis of accident data shows. More people also die as a result of driving too fast for the conditions than those who break the speed limit.

The report says 5.2 per cent of all accidents involve driving at an inappropriate speed, while driver error contributes to nearly seven in ten (67.5 per cent) of all accidents.

The findings are based on analysis of five years of official police crash statistics.

Experts say the findings show the weakness of speed cameras, which issue an automatic ticket to a driver a few mph over the limit, but are blind to motorists who keep within the posted limit, but drive carelessly, recklessly, without proper attention, or even when drunk.

Licensed to skill
13 April 2011

Driver and rider error or reaction are behind the top three causes of fatal and serious crashes, new research from the IAM reveals today. Cars don’t lose control; drivers do.

Licensed to skill: Contributory factors in accidents, launched today at the RAC Club, Pall Mall, presents the analysis of five years worth of accident data, recorded by the police between 2005 and 2009.

Factors including ‘failed to look properly’ ‘loss of control’ and ‘poor turn or manoeuvre’, accounted for 65.3 per cent of fatal, 61.8 per cent of serious and 68.6 per cent of slight accidents. Injudicious action - illegal or unwise judgements – such as exceeding the speed limit, following too close, or making an illegal turn, was the second biggest factor, accounting for another 31.4 per cent of accidents. Alcohol was a relatively minor factor, listed in only ten per cent of fatal accidents.

Behaviour or inexperience came a close third, being a factor in 28.0 per cent of accidents. In contrast, physical circumstances such as road environment, factors affecting vision, and vehicle defects are listed as issues in very few accidents.(1)

‘Travelling too fast for the conditions’ accounts for more fatal accidents than ‘exceeding speed limit’, which represent fourth and fifth places. Driving too fast isn’t necessarily just a case of a legal requirement – you could be driving too fast for the conditions, without breaking any official speed limits at all.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “What is obvious from the top three rankings is that many accidents could be prevented by drivers simply changing their behaviour, as well as gaining more experience. That so many crashes are caused simply by the driver failing to look is shocking. On the positive side, there is plenty that drivers can do to reduce their risk of being involved in an accident.

“Having a driving licence doesn’t necessarily mean that drivers have the skills they need to be safe. Professional drivers, like HGV drivers, participate in continuous professional development, improving their driving skills throughout their careers to reduce their accident rates, insurance costs and to increase their fuel efficiency – why is life-saving training not expected of those who drive for personal reasons?”

“The evidence is there. Accidents could be easily reduced by improving driver skills and lives could be saved – especially those of young drivers. The IAM calls on the government to introduce post-test training, to support young drivers through the most dangerous part of their driving career, and to improve their skills for the rest of their lives.”
ENDS

Notes to editors:
Because more than one factor can be attributed to each crash these figures do not total 100 per cent.
Top contributory factors were:
Driver/rider error or reaction
Injudicious action
Behaviour or inexperience
Road environment
Pedestrian only (casualty or uninjured)
Impairment or distraction
Vision affected
Special codes
Vehicle defects

Fatal injury/casualty = injury causes death within 30 days of the accident.

Serious injury/casualty = injury does not cause death within 30 days of the accident and either results in the casualty being detained in hospital as an inpatient, or any of the following injuries: fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushings, severe cuts and lacerations, severe general shock requiring treatment, or any injury which causes death more than 30 days after the accident.

Slight injury/casualty = injury of a minor character such as a sprain (including whiplash neck injury), bruise or cut which are not judged to be severe, or slight shock requiring roadside attention. Injuries not requiring medical treatment are included.

The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycle riding and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

'Driving at an inappropriate speed for the conditions’

...'result of driving too fast for the conditions than those who break the speed limit'.

‘Travelling too fast for the conditions’ accounts for more fatal accidents than ‘exceeding speed limit’

Experts say the findings show the weakness of speed cameras, which issue an automatic ticket to a driver a few mph over the limit, but are blind to motorists who keep within the posted limit, but drive carelessly, recklessly, without proper attention, or even when drunk.