December casualties: over-60s at risk on the roads

• 20 per cent more pedestrians aged 60 and over are killed or seriously injured in December
• On average each year, there are over 16,000 senior pedestrian casualties on UK roads, with 3,275 of these either killed or seriously injured
• On average each year, 177,982 adult pedestrian casualties are recorded on the roads - enough to almost fill Wembley Stadium twice
• One in every 284 adults will be a pedestrian casualty on the roads each year

A new report¹ published today by Direct Line Car Insurance and PACTS (the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety) reveals the vulnerability of older pedestrians on the roads. According to the latest road casualty statistics taken from police STATS19 records there are 20 per cent more deaths and serious injuries amongst those aged 60 and over in December compared to the monthly average. Each year on average there are over 16,000 senior pedestrian casualties on UK roads, with 3,275 of these either killed or seriously injured.

Those aged 60 and over are most vulnerable between 4:00pm and 6:00 pm in December. People in this age group are 26 per cent more likely to be killed or seriously injured between 4:00pm and 5:00pm and 30 per cent more likely between 5:00pm and 6:00 pm compared to the average for the rest of the year.

It is not just older age groups that are especially vulnerable as pedestrians. On average each year, 177,982 adult pedestrian casualties are recorded on the roads, almost enough to fill Wembley Stadium twice. On average, one in every 284 adults will be a pedestrian casualty on the roads each year, with 22,158 killed or seriously injured.

The link between pedestrian casualties and level of wealth is well established. Consequently many of the parliamentary constituencies with high levels of poverty have the highest pedestrian casualty rates (relative to population size). Tottenham tops the list with a rate 144% higher than the national rate, with constituencies in Lancashire and Yorkshire also appearing along with other London Boroughs.

Highest casualty rates	Percentage over the national rate
Tottenham	144 per cent
Bradford East	111 per cent
Preston	107 per cent
Brent Central	101 per cent
Croydon North	101 per cent
Blackburn	100 per cent
Blackpool South	97 per cent
Vauxhall	95 per cent
Bradford West	89 per cent
Edmonton	88 per cent

Source: Direct Line and PACTS, 2016

Pedestrian casualty rates tend to be lower in wealthier areas with lower population densities, often with only small market towns rather than larger cities. West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine ranks as the parliamentary constituency with the lowest resident casualty rate, which is 59 per cent below the national average. Rural areas tend to have shown more progress in reducing pedestrian casualties, although not exclusively. Most progress was made in Cheadle with a 43 per cent reduction in casualties versus the national average.

Lowest casualty rates	Percentage under the national rate
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine	59 per cent
Buckingham	58 per cent
South Northamptonshire	58 per cent
North Dorset	57 per cent
North Herefordshire	56 per cent
South Cambridgeshire	55 per cent
Haltemprice and Howden	54 per cent
South East Cambridgeshire	54 per cent
Ross, Skye and Lochaber	54 per cent
Monmouth	54 per cent

Source: Direct Line and PACTS, 2016

Gus Park, director of motor at Direct Line commented: "Pedestrian casualties on the roads remain far too high. We need to invest resource in understanding the traffic control measures that can be put in place to help reduce pedestrian casualties. There is a clear increase in casualties amongst the older generation in December, so both drivers and pedestrians are urged to use caution on the streets."

David Davies, executive director of PACTS commented: "The Dashboard shows which constituencies have the most serious road safety challenges and which are making fastest progress. There is great variation across the country and we hope this will be a catalyst for action."

The analysis comes as Direct Line and PACTS publish the third edition of the Constituency Road Safety Dashboard. This index calculates the casualty rates for residents of each parliamentary constituency in Great Britain relative to the local population. The dashboard now includes, for the first time, data from the Motor Insurers' Bureau on the number of crashes involving uninsured drivers. The dashboard can be accessed at: https://www.pacts.org.uk/dashboard/

PACTS is the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, a registered charity bringing together safety professionals and legislators to identify research-based solutions to transport safety problems. It supports the Transport Safety All-Party Parliamentary Group. See https://www.pacts.org.uk/

¹Research conducted by Road Safety Analysis Ltd. Indices for uninsured drivers involved in crashes developed using data provided by the MIB (Motor Insurers' Bureau) 2003 - 2015. Indices for KSI (Killed or Seriously Injured) casualties based on analysis of the Government's official reported road casualty statistics taken from police STATS19 records, collated, analysed and published by the Department for Transport (DfT). All figures stated are average KSI (Killed or Seriously Injured) casualties for the six-year period covering 2010 - 2015. Region-specific data is available on request. The figures in the Dashboard show casualties suffered by the residents of the constituency regardless of whether the collision occurs within the constituency or elsewhere.

Claims made under a policy may result in an increased premium at the next renewal date. This depends on the number, type and value of claims you make. Our premiums are calculated individually and you'll be notified in advance of the renewal date. Customers should also note that the amount of excess they pay following a claim depends on the level chosen by the customer. This figure is made clear when you apply for a quote and receive your personal policy documents.

Antonia Green
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 282 2967
Email: Antonia.Green@citigatedr.co.uk

Chloe French
PR Manager
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 831 715
Email: Chloe.French@directlinegroup.co.uk

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 878 5587 or visiting www.directline.com