Rise in road deaths

[Martin Cassini]

The transport select committee, chaired by Louise Ellman, is concerned about the rise in road deaths, 51 up on last year to 1901. It took no notice of submissions from me and Kenneth Todd about the role of traffic lights in causing congestion, so it’s doubtful they would listen to our critique of road safety policy. Is it surprising there are fatalities when the root cause of danger on the road – priority – goes untreated? Ellman is “shocked” that 27% of young male drivers are involved in “accidents”. Is it surprising given the inadequacy of the driving test? As I keep saying, most “accidents” are not accidents. They are events contrived by the rules and design of the road.