The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has identified four road safety factors (RSF) that are contributing to the majority of fatal road collisions.
The latest available data shows that 65% of reported fatalities in road collisions have at least one of the “fatal 4” assigned to them by investigating officers.
The four factors identified by the NPCC are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving under the influence of substances (alcohol and/or drugs) and mobile phone use.
The statistics show that, where one or more of the “fatal 4” are assigned to a fatal collision, the driver is more likely to be male and more likely to be young (aged 17-24) than in other fatal collisions. Fatal collisions involving these factors are more likely to happen in the evening or at night, and more likely at weekends.
The figures show that, in 2023, speeding was a factor in 56.1% of all fatal road collisions, making it by far the most prevalent of the four factors. Alcohol or drug use was the second most common factor, being attributed to 19.6% of fatal collisions.
Police are focusing heavily on the “fatal 4” in an attempt to reduce the number of UK road deaths. Drivers caught speeding, drink driving or using handheld mobile devices while driving can face severe penalties if caught.
If you face charges for road traffic offences, including dangerous driving, solicitors at Auriga Advocates are highly qualified in dealing with these cases and can offer you a high level of support and advice. Contact us if you need help with your case, and we can talk through your options.