Current Weather Sparks Warnings On December Road Casualties - News

• Latest figures from the Department for Transport reveal car casualties on Britain's roads increased by 501 in December last year
• More casualties occurred in the South East of England, however, the South West had the greatest percentage increase of 35%
• Findings come in the wake of the recent weather spell, with fine and foggy weather being attributed to 67% of the casualties in December last year
• Leading driving experience provider TrackDays.co.uk, and road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart issue a joint plea to take it steady and be alert so that everyone can get safely home for Christmas

Drivers are being urged to take extra caution while on the roads over the Christmas period as the latest Department for Transport (DfT) data reveals an increase in the number of passenger car casualties during December last year.

The most recent data laid bare the startling figures, with passenger car casualties in December, rising from 5,924 in 2020 to 6,425 in 2021, with casualties including drivers being slightly injured, killed or seriously injured, as more motorists returned to Britain's roads following the pandemic.

In December 2021, casualties in the South East of England rose to 1,074, representing a 16.7% increase from the previous year, while the South West saw the highest overall percentage increase in casualties, rising by 35%.

With 67% of casualties occurring last December during either fine or foggy weather, which is normally associated with colder temperatures during the winter, leading driving experience provider, TrackDays.co.uk is warning motorists to take care this December as they battle Britain's roads during the festive period.

Dan Jones, Operating Manager at TrackDays.co.uk says: "This recent data is a wakeup call for the UK to make sure we continue to work on making the UK's roads safer. Although we acknowledge that the pandemic had an impact on traffic volume figures, we want to maintain an overall downward trend."

"Scandinavian countries, like Norway, have compulsory training for slippery roads as part of their driving lessons. There are various courses in the UK which drivers can attend to help them become more confident on the road during extreme conditions."

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, joins TrackDays.co.uk's plea for caution, adding: "With Christmas just around the corner, seeing the data highlight the increase in casualties is a sobering thought, especially as we all want to make sure our loved ones are around the table at this important time of the year."

"As the cold weather continues to take hold of Britain's roads, it is important for all drivers to plan accordingly so that their journeys are completed as safely as possible. This can be done by considering the time of day they travel in, along with drivers at least tripling their stopping distance to help them take into account the increased stopping time needed on icy conditions."

Here at TrackDays.co.uk, we have just launched a new Safer Driving Course, held at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, which is a comprehensive half day's lesson in learning safer driving skills, particularly during adverse weather. Find this and more driving courses such as this at venues across the UK on our Skid Control and Driving Lessons pages on our website today.