MOTORCYCLE ACTION
Road Casualties down 2% in 1999
Dear all,
Please find the overview of road casualties 1999. Motorcyclist
casualties in 1999 rose by 6 per cent compared with 1998.  The number of
motorcyclists killed rose 10 per cent.  Motorcycle traffic rose by 16
per cent so the rate of casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres
was 8 per cent lower than in 1998. 
Well done..
Phil.
                          ****************************

ROAD CASUALTIES DOWN 2% IN 1999
The number of people killed or injured on Britain's roads fell by two
per cent last year.
Figures published today show that in 1999 there were 320,310 road
casualties.

There were 3,423 people killed (two more than 1998), 39,122 seriously
injured (down 4 per cent on 1998) and 277,765 slightly injured (down 1
per cent on 1998). There were 235,048 road accidents involving personal
injury in 1999, 2 per cent lower than in 1998.  Of these, 36,405
involved death or serious injury.

Main results include:

7 Child casualties fell by 3 per cent. The number of children killed or
seriously injured in 1999 was 5,699 (down 6 per cent on 1998). Of those,
3,457 were pedestrians, 7 per cent down on 1998.  There were 221 child
fatalities, 15 more than in 1998.  

7 Pedestrian casualties fell by 4 per cent in 1999 compared to 1998.
Deaths also fell by 4 per cent, and serious injuries fell by 6 per cent. 

7 Serious injuries among pedal cyclists fell by 5 per cent compared to
1998.  However the number of cyclists killed rose by 9 per cent.  Cycle
traffic increased by 5 per cent so the rate of casualties per 100
million vehicle kilometres fell by 5 per cent.  Motorcyclist casualties
in 1999 rose by 6 per cent compared with 1998.  The number of
motorcyclists killed rose 10 per cent.  Motorcycle traffic rose by 16
per cent so the rate of casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres
was 8 per cent lower than in 1998. 

Road traffic levels rose by 2 per cent in 1999.  Consequently, the
casualty rate per hundred by distance travelled fell by 3 per cent. 

Notes to editors

These figures, and further details, are available in statistics bulletin
Road Casualties Great Britain: 1999  - Main Results, obtainable from The
Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, TSR5, Zone 2/18,
Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR.

The statistics refer to personal injury accidents on public roads
reported to the police.  Figures for deaths refer to persons killed
immediately or who died within 30 days of the accident.  This is the
usual international definition, adopted by the Vienna Convention in
1968.  Similar statistics of deaths on public roads, but compiled by
date of registration, are published by the Registrars General.

In 1987 the then Secretary of State formulated a casualty target for the
year 2000 as a one third casualty reduction compared with a baseline
average of casualties in 1981-1985. This target was achieved for road
deaths in 1994, and serious injuries in 1992; and in 1999 these two
categories were 39 per cent and 48 per cent below their respective
baselines, while slight injuries were 15 per cent above the baseline.
All casualties were at a similar level to the baseline average.
However, road traffic grew by 59 per cent over the same period.


Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066; out of hours: 020 7944 5925 / 5945; 
E-mail: press@detr.gov.uk

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 3000; E-mail contacts:
www.detr.gov.uk/email.htm

DETR website - http://www.detr.gov.uk

Philip Neale
Director of Public Affairs
Motorcycle Action Group
PO Box 750
Rugby
CV21 3ZR
Tel. 0870 444 8 448
Fax. 0870 444 8 449
Mob. 0802 356040
www.mag-uk.org
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