In its response to the Transport Committee investigation into cycling – something you can read about in Monday’s edition of Motor Transport – the government has showcased some interesting national HGV/cyclist collision figures, which while still too high, do show an improving trend in regards fatalities.
According to the DfT, the number of HGVs involved in fatal accidents has decreased by 53%, from 570 in 2002 to 270 in 2013. This is in line with the 50% reduction for all vehicle types involved in fatal accidents over the same period, which has dropped from 5,647 to 2,846.
The number of HGVs involved in fatal or serious accidents has fallen by 53% from 2,692 in 2002 to 1,277 in 2013, while the number of all types of vehicle involved in fatal or serious accidents fell by 37% over the same period, from 57,509 to 36,020.
While still too many, that does mean HGVs have outperformed the average, no doubt as the industry has recognised the issue and taken the appropriate actions.
While the number of HGVs involved in fatal accidents has reduced significantly [DfT’s words here], the proportion of vehicles involved in fatal accidents that are HGVs has fallen from 10% in 2002 to 9% in 2013.
The proportion of vehicles involved in fatal or serious accidents that are HGVs has reduced from 5% in 2002 to 4% in 2013.
We’d all like to see a bigger margin of improvement but it’s encouraging all the same [although some will argue you can always move faster, of course].
The DfT also states (as we know) in its response that “given the larger size and weight of HGVs relative to all other road users, the outcome of any collision is likely to be more severe and so they are likely to be involved in a greater proportion of fatal accidents, even when the number of such accidents has halved”.
And of course, during the period in question, and especially in London and the South East, there’s been a marked increase in the number of cyclists using the road network.