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Accident statistics

Introduction

695 people were killed or injured on Calderdale's roads last year; 136 less than in 2009. 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 2010

1. The downward trend in road casualties reported to the Police continued through 2010 and the total of 695 is the lowest ever recorded. The casualty reduction is mainly due to a substantial drop in the numbers of car occupants, motorcyclists and pedestrians with slight injuries.
2. The number of pedestrian casualties (all severity) has fallen significantly to 80. There had been virtually no change in the annual total during the previous five years, and so this break in the flat trend is very welcome.
3. The slow but steady downward trend amongst pedal cycle casualties in Calderdale stopped in 2006 and the flat trend since then has continued into 2010.
4. The number of motorcyclists injured in 2010 fell dramatically, such that this year’s figure of 43 is the lowest ever recorded in the district. The total had been disappointingly increasing over the previous three years and so the drop this year is very welcome.
5. The downward trend in car occupant casualties (all severity) remains unchecked. There was a drop in the number of car occupants killed or seriously injured, which was particularly welcome, after the almost static position held over the previous three years.

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