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Accident statistics

Introduction

831 people were killed or injured on Calderdale's roads last year; 43 more than 2008. Figures recently released from the Accident Studies centre in Leeds, show that there are a number of common causes involved in car collisions in Calderdale.

The top 10 are:

1. Failure to look properly
2. Fail to judge other person's path or speed
3. Poor turn or manoeuvre
4. Too fast for conditions
5. Following too close
6. Loss of control
7. Sudden braking
8. Careless, reckless or in a hurry
9. Exceeding speed limit
10. Slippery road due to weather.

Results from focus groups show that the majority of drivers consider themselves to be sensible road users. The majority of collisions in Calderdale will involve those who consider themselves to be safe drivers, the average motorist, who can make a mistake and end up turning their vehicle into a weapon.

Accident statistics summary 2009

1. The 2009 casualty total of 831 is marginally up on last year's figure. The increase is not statistically significant and so this halt in the downward trend is probably temporary. The 2008 total of 788 is the lowest figure ever recorded since the District was formed in 1974 and the Government's 2010 casualty reduction target for slight casualties has been achieved.
2. A total of 9 people were killed in 2009, and this figure is very close to the average of 10 over the last five years. The killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualty figure disappointingly increased to 120.
3. Car occupants and pedestrians form the largest proportion of the KSI total, accounting for 37% and 27% respectively. The downward momentum in KSI casualties amongst the main road user group of car occupant had a set back in 2009, when the total increased marginally.  A further blow to the KSI total came from an upsurge in both the adult and child pedestrian figures.
4. The present trend in the number of children killed or seriously injured is upward.  The increase this year is associated with the pedestrian and pedal cyclist groups rather than car passenger. The total of 20 is disappointing
5. There is currently an upward trend in both child and adult pedestrians killed or seriously injured.

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