Previous suggestions and inferences that the higher fuel prices hitting motorists in particular over the recent months being the main reason for a reduction in road casualty figures appears to have gained some foundation.
AA president Edmund King has put this directly down to the fuel increases at the pumps following publication by the Government of accident statistics for the second period of 2008 showing that the number of deaths due to road accidents has decreased.
Mr King argues that the result of high petrol prices was that motorists drove more economically to save money and generally reduced the frequency they used their vehicles.
Mr King stated:
“This past quarter saw petrol prices rising towards their maximum, which was reached on 17th July, and industrial disputes affecting petrol supply. 77 per cent of drivers in our AA/Populussurvey said they had reduced journeys, cut back on other expenditure, or done both as a result of high fuel prices.”
“Drivers also indicated that they were slowing down to save fuel. These actions could have contributed to a reduction in accidents and deaths.”
It has long been evidenced that reduction in speed can reduce the number of accidents, and particularly, the number of fatal accidents, both of which would affect policyholders no claim bonus and of course, in many cases, increase insurance premiums.
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