Pedestrian casualties to ‘peak in November’

The incident occurred around 12.15pm today (Monday)

The average number of serious pedestrian casualties in November rises 42 per cent compared to August, which has the fewest incidents, the findings show.

They also revealed there is a peak during the month for car occupants, with around 832 serious injuries to drivers and their passengers.

On average there were found to be 2,135 serious casualties on the country’s roads every November, with people aged 16-24 accounting for 24 per cent of the casualties over the course of the month.

Furthermore, pedestrians make up more than a quarter (26 per cent) of serious injuries.

The analysis, which looks at incidents on the roads from 2010 to 2014, comes as the latest Constituency Road Safety Dashboard is published by insurer Direct Line and the group Pacts (Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety).

The index calculates the casualty rate for residents of each parliamentary constituency in Britain relative to the local population.

It shows the Banff and Buchan constituency has the highest annual rate for those killed or seriously injured on the roads - 103% higher than the national average. Nearby West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine came second and neighbouring Gordon was tenth.

Other areas making up the table include Bexhill and Battle in East Sussex, Thirsk and Malton in North Yorkshire and Gosport, Hampshire.

Bath in south west England was found to be the safest constituency relative to the national average, with nearly half as many serious incidents every year.

Five of the 10 safest - Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stretford and Urmston, Lichfield and Cheadle - are based in the corridor between Birmingham and Manchester.

Report authors also said significant progress is being made in London as six capital constituencies feature in top 10 areas for annual reduction of serious casualties.

Gus Park, director of motor at Direct Line, said: “Road users need to be especially vigilant as the nights get darker earlier following the clocks change. We hope this analysis will spur the authorities to take immediate action, investing in education campaigns highlighting the distinct challenges of navigating the streets in the autumn and winter.

“The disproportionate number of casualties among young people travelling in cars highlights the urgent need to find new and engaging ways to reach these audiences and warn them of the dangers on the road

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