Can safer roads mean fewer accidents and claims?
The number of road accidents that happen in the UK, has been a source of concern to several people; especially given the implications for lives and financial costs. With a rate of almost 460 casualties per 100,000 people, England's case is the most worrying of all regions of the country.
In a recent report by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, (IAM) it was revealed that drivers in the Yorkshire and Humber region are more likely to die or suffer injuries in a road accident, than anywhere else in England. Even in England some places are riskier than others in terms of accidents and fatalities. This position was highlighted due to the facts that show there were more than 3,000 serious accidents in the region in 2007, of which more than 280 were fatal.
Insurance costs
The issue here is that while there is a higher probability for people to be involved in accidents in these parts, it also implies that insurers could face more claims being made and incur higher costs than in parts where the risk of a car accident is lower. Perhaps this explains why there have been reports of rising accident claims and higher insurance premiums.
Making a claim is not in itself an issue; it only becomes a problem where there is negligence or if it is recurrent. For a driver who is working hard to maintain a clean slate and retain a no bonus claim, even a mild accident that leads to a payout by his or her insurer could see that bonus dissapear.
Blame
But are drivers always to blame for accidents on our roads? In some cases motorists play a huge role in causing accidents, but it is not always the case. Examples of situations where drivers are clearly at fault include driving while drunk, being in too much haste or simply being reckless and not obeying traffic rules. Although recently, even when a driver is not at fault, there are fraudsters who ensure that you hit them from behind, so they can make a claim on your car insurance policy.
Other factors that are beyond a motorist's control are sometimes responsible for road or car accidents. According to IAM this could be due to low road safety measures because there is less investment in the maintainance of the streets. This can accounts for a higher rate of accidents in some parts, compared with other areas.
A better understanding of this scenario is achieved, if the situation in England is compared with other parts of the UK. In Wales, for example, the same report found that roads in the region are the safest in the country and as a result fewer accidents are recorded. Yet, the report added that car ownership is most common in the Welsh region than in other parts of the country. Ordinarily, one would expect the situation to be the other way round.
Solution
The above findings give rise to the question whether any effort to deal with the problem of road accidents will be realistic without resolving a number of contradictions. As much as drivers are compelled to act within the bounds of traffic rules, including ensuring that their vehicles are covered, it will remain merely begging the question if roads are not properly fixed.
In view of the above the government is believed to be making road safety a top priority by working towards lowering the casualty targets by they year 2020. It is also said to be working on plan that would give drivers a fair deal.
Despite the Government endeavours, it is still too early to celebrate as Neil Greig, the director of policy and research at IAM, warned that: "A lot of work still needs to be done to iron out the unacceptable variation in investment and casualty rates in the country."
In the meantime, accident victims can at least make a claim to get compensation for their pains, injuries and for any costs inccured. The claiment only needs to find out how to do this by contact appropriate experts such as an injury lawyer.
Updated on 22/06/2009