By Maria de los Reyes Segura Laguna
Friday afternoon is peak traffic accident time in London, with Friday rush hour the most dangerous time to go for a drive in the UK, according to research carried out by Simpson Millar solicitors.
Crash investigation officers, employed by the police or other agencies, may remove and examine vehicles after the collision / Photo credit: Daniela Forresu
Bus drivers, car owners, motorbike drivers and pedestrians are involved in all type of accidents across the city. Metropolitan police request those involved in a traffic collision to stop at the scene as soon as it is safe to do so and call emergency services if life is in danger or when a serious offence has been committed.
The National Charity for Road Crash Victims, RoadPeace, provides information and support to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes, as well as support for navigating the Criminal Justice System.
Searches for UK road trips have increased 100% in the last year, while according to the study of Simpson Miller you are more likely to have a collision on Friday, the safest day is Sunday.
The study suggests taking extra caution when driving in November, June and October, the most dangerous months on the roads. Longer drives lead to less vigilance and increased sleepiness while driving, thus contributing to the risk of accidents, it says.
Collisions must be reported no mater who was at fault / Photo credit: Maria de los Reyes Segura Laguna
Emergency services point out the importance of knowing what to do to prevent a traffic accident from happening. Insist on the use of helmets for cyclists, hold children’s hands tightly while crossing the road, use car seats correctly and insist that drivers to slow down in built-up areas.
TFL also offers on their website real time roads status updates, showing reported incidents and delays on the roads, to help drivers navigate unsafe areas.
However, it’s not all bad news. New data shows that in 2023 fatalities have reduced by 30 per cent in the city, as opposed to just seven percent in the rest of the UK.
The “number of people tragically killed or seriously injured on London’s roads in 2023 fell by six per cent compared to 2022, from 3,961 to 3,710”, the data said.
“Until London takes bolder action, people will keep being killed while cycling and too few Londoners will feel safe enough to cycle,” said Chief Executive of London Cycling Campaign, Tom Fyans.
Creating safer roads
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been asked to create a “Road Safety Investigation Branch.” Mr Khan set out his idea “Vision Zero action plan” to end all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads by 2041.
For four years in a row, London’s roads were considered the most congested in Europe, and were ranked the fifth most congested globally by the transport analytics company Inrix. Within the UK, Bristol and Leeds became second and third in the ranking.
The UK’s Government published an annual road casualty statistic in May with final details released in September, while drink-drive collision is annually published in July.
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