Menu
23/09/2003
Lib Dems claim road accident costs 'grossly underestimated'
According to research unveiled by the Liberal Democrats today, the government has ignored the full extent of road deaths and casualties by "grossly underestimating" the number and cost of road traffic accidents.
The party – which won the Brent East by-election last week – claimed that every year around 250,000 road casualties were not being recorded by the police, leaving the government's figure for the total cost of accidents £13.5 billion short. Road accidents are costing Britain more than £30 billion every year, the Lib Dems say.
Speaking ahead of the Safer Roads and Streets For All motion to the party's conference, Don Foster, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said: "Every day 10 people die on our roads, causing immeasurable grief and damage to families. The annual cost to the NHS of road traffic accidents is over £1 billion. Accident prevention could save enough to pay for over 230,000 hip replacement operations.
"Despite the government's Road Safety Strategy, it continues to ignore the full extent of underreporting. And that means allocating fewer resources for important road safety measures.
"Today, Liberal Democrats are calling for a fully coordinated approach to road safety which acknowledges the full picture. Only when we know the full extent and cost of road accidents can we take the right measures to tackle road deaths, creating safer roads and streets for all."
(gmcg)
The party – which won the Brent East by-election last week – claimed that every year around 250,000 road casualties were not being recorded by the police, leaving the government's figure for the total cost of accidents £13.5 billion short. Road accidents are costing Britain more than £30 billion every year, the Lib Dems say.
Speaking ahead of the Safer Roads and Streets For All motion to the party's conference, Don Foster, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said: "Every day 10 people die on our roads, causing immeasurable grief and damage to families. The annual cost to the NHS of road traffic accidents is over £1 billion. Accident prevention could save enough to pay for over 230,000 hip replacement operations.
"Despite the government's Road Safety Strategy, it continues to ignore the full extent of underreporting. And that means allocating fewer resources for important road safety measures.
"Today, Liberal Democrats are calling for a fully coordinated approach to road safety which acknowledges the full picture. Only when we know the full extent and cost of road accidents can we take the right measures to tackle road deaths, creating safer roads and streets for all."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 September 2015
Appeal For Witnesses To Serious Road Accident
A woman aged in her 30s remains in a critical condition following a serious road accident in Haringey on Saturday, 12 September. Police and ambulance were called just after 22:00 on Saturday to reports of an accident on Colney Hatch Lane. A female was suffering from serious head injuries as a result of a collision with a car.
Appeal For Witnesses To Serious Road Accident
A woman aged in her 30s remains in a critical condition following a serious road accident in Haringey on Saturday, 12 September. Police and ambulance were called just after 22:00 on Saturday to reports of an accident on Colney Hatch Lane. A female was suffering from serious head injuries as a result of a collision with a car.
28 July 2015
Police Appeal For Witnesses To Fatal Road Accident
Police have appealed for witnesses to a fatal road accident in Wandsworth in the early hours of this morning. Police were called to reports of a car in collision with a bus stop at about 01:15 on Tuesday morning on Balham High Road. The driver of the car, a 47-year-old man, was treated at the scene by paramedics but was pronounced dead.
Police Appeal For Witnesses To Fatal Road Accident
Police have appealed for witnesses to a fatal road accident in Wandsworth in the early hours of this morning. Police were called to reports of a car in collision with a bus stop at about 01:15 on Tuesday morning on Balham High Road. The driver of the car, a 47-year-old man, was treated at the scene by paramedics but was pronounced dead.
22 June 2015
Appeal For Witnesses Following Serious Road Accident In Dudley
Police in Dudley have appealed for witnesses to a serious road accident on Saturday. A man aged in his 40s is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a collision on Oakham Road at around 15:00.
Appeal For Witnesses Following Serious Road Accident In Dudley
Police in Dudley have appealed for witnesses to a serious road accident on Saturday. A man aged in his 40s is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a collision on Oakham Road at around 15:00.
16 March 2015
Police Appeal For Witnesses To Serious Road Accident
Police have appealed for witnesses to a serious road accident in County Durham on Sunday morning. A 59-year-old woman is in a critical condition following the three-car collision, which happened on the A19 at about 10:30.
Police Appeal For Witnesses To Serious Road Accident
Police have appealed for witnesses to a serious road accident in County Durham on Sunday morning. A 59-year-old woman is in a critical condition following the three-car collision, which happened on the A19 at about 10:30.
02 February 2015
Appeal For Witnesses To Serious Road Accident
North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to a serious road accident on Sunday. A woman has been left with "significant injuries" after two vehicles crashed on the B4421 between Newborough and Llangaffo at about 20:00 on Sunday. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number, 101.
Appeal For Witnesses To Serious Road Accident
North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to a serious road accident on Sunday. A woman has been left with "significant injuries" after two vehicles crashed on the B4421 between Newborough and Llangaffo at about 20:00 on Sunday. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number, 101.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
