The UK’s population is estimated to continue to rise rapidly into 2030, this will result in more drivers on the already heavily congested UK roads. At the same time there has been investment into road technology in order to reduce congestion and increase safety, we expect this investment to continue. Technology and safety are also at the forefront of new vehicle development with autonomous driving features becoming a selling point for new vehicles. We take a look at the stats, road technology and vehicle technology to discover more about road safety in 2020.
The Statistics
The government statistics show that the number of road accidents has actually decreased significantly since 2004. However, in the June 2019 report there was a 4% increase in the people killed or seriously injured compared the previous year. These stats are based on incidents reported to the police, it is noted in this report that these are provisional estimates and the full 2019 statistics will be released later this year. The report also shows that on the whole accidents have reduced by 5% from the previous year.
Read the full Government Report
Road Technology
There has been a huge increase in Smart Motorways in the UK, Smart Motorways use the hard shoulder as an active lane in order to reduce congestion. Additional features of this new form of motorway include variable speed limits and warning signs. There is evidence to show that Smart Motorways are actually safer than the traditional motorway, but some suggest this is not the case and more evidence is needed. It’s important that drivers know what to do on these motorways if they breakdown or see an issue, take a look at our Smart Motorways article for more information.
Road Technology is constantly evolving, some of the exciting technology changes that could be coming to the UK in the future include Solar Roads, Electric Charging Lanes, temperature and vehicle flow sensors. All of these technological advances are designed to reduce emissions and congestion whilst increasing the safety of the roads for drivers.
Car Technology
Cars are becoming smarter and more reactive to their environment, but does this lead to lazy drivers and the potential for more accidents? Autonomous vehicle features are being integrated into new vehicles. Currently vehicle sensors and cameras are already being used to detect nearby cars, assist with parking and prevent road accidents. Companies are heavily investing in self-driving technology with the major players such as Tesla having full Self-Driving capability on their latest model pending regulatory approval. The law commission is also reviewing self-driving vehicles to determine if and when they will be allowed on UK roads. It’s an exciting time for vehicle development with major changes expected in the next 5-10 years.
Keeping Drivers Safe
The technology advances are designed to increase the safety of vehicles and UK roads, but drivers and fleet managers are also an important part of keeping the roads safe. Keeping on top of safety checks, removing driver distractions, planning the route in advance and being well rested and prepared are just some of the key things that both drivers and fleet managers can do to help. Only time and the statistics will show the true impact of technology on road safety and if the UK roads are becoming safer as a result of the investment in technology.
