Driver Error the Cause of Majority of Crashes on British Roads

The main cause of crashes on Britain’s roads is caused by driver error according to analysis carried out by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Figures from the Department of Transport reveal that in 2014 driver error was the main contributory factor in 71% of accidents. The accidents involved more than 117,000 casualties with 20,830 in London alone.

The IAM has again asked drivers to look to improve their driving skills throughout their lives. The analysis showed that human factors were most cited for the cause of road crashes. The Police can cite up to six factors for the cause of a crash in their reports. Driver error was cited as the most with behaviour or inexperience the second most common reason cited, contributing to 26% of accidents.

The other four factors cited are:

Injudicious action - 25%

Impairment or distraction - 14%

Road environment contributed - 13%

Vehicle defects - 2%

Speaking of the findings Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “People often blame their car, the road, or the other driver for the accidents and near misses that they have. These figures show that in the vast majority of cases, it’s the driver or rider themselves who is to blame.

“Changing attitudes is the key factor when it comes to reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads. People must accept responsibility for enhancing their own skills and recognising their limitations".