Separating fact from fiction

When planning campaigns such as Just a second, we like to separate the stats from opinion and concentrate on the areas that really matter.

The main “Fatal Four” offences (drink or drug driving, speeding, using a mobile device while driving and not wearing seatbelts) are still proven to be the main causes of death or serious injury in collisions. But it’s important to remember that there are also other factors such as inexperience, loss of control, failing to look properly and being distracted that can cause people to find themselves in danger.

People aged between 20 – 30 years are currently the most likely to be killed or seriously injured on our roads. But although young people are often the victims, people of all ages commit fatal four offences, so drivers of all ages and experience levels should take care every time they get behind the wheel.

Here are some facts and figures from 2022, so you can see why this campaign is so important.

 

Death on the roads:

Unfortunately, we see people dying on our roads every year, often in collisions caused or made worse by the offences listed on this page.

In 2022, we saw a total of 32 people lose their lives on our roads, while 407 people were seriously injured.

Ten of those who sadly lost their lives were passengers, highlighting the fact that it’s not just your own life you’re putting at risk if you aren’t driving with care.

Of those 32 who lost their lives, six were aged in their 20’s, five were aged in their 40’s and five were under the age of 19.

We don’t run safety campaigns because it’s a fun thing to do, we run them because every year people lose their lives on Derbyshire’s roads. If one campaign saves only one life, then it was a campaign worth running.

All we’re asking drivers to do, is drive with care and remember that the consequences can be serious. You could lose your licence, your independence, your car or even your job. But more importantly, you could lose your own life, or the life of a loved one. 

  

Careless Driving:

Although the fatal four offences outlined below are factors in a large majority of collisions, when breaking down the cause of collision by age range, you see a common theme.

The two main leading factors in collisions, for all ages, are failing to look properly and loss of control. Both reasons could be due to factors relating to the fatal four such as speeding but are often also down to drivers not paying proper attention.

That’s why it’s important for everyone to make sure they concentrate fully and limit distractions when driving.

Careless driving that leads to not looking properly and losing control can be caused by many things; eating whilst driving, touching car controls such as stereos, reaching around for sunglasses, or anything that distracts you.

 

Drink Driving:

Drink driving has been the focus of many safety campaigns across the years. But with all that awareness, we continue to see drivers who are under the influence.

In Derbyshire, most drink drivers were between 26 and 45 – showing it is not only a problem for younger people.

One in ten readings were more than three times the legal limit, and 37% were twice the legal limit, making it clear that a lot of the drivers caught are having more than one drink too many.

We know that many drivers would never dream about driving under the influence, but unfortunately, we still see this as a regular problem within Derbyshire.

Remember to leave your car at home if you might be tempted to have that extra drink, and to never get in a car with a person who has drank too much. Calling out friends and family of this behaviour might protect them more than you realise.

 

Drug Driving:

Drug driving is increasingly a problem, with our officers conducting more and more roadside drug tests

Of the drivers who tested positive for drugs last year, 65% of offenders tested positive for cannabis. A further 24% tested positive for cocaine, and 11% tested positive for both.

Most drug driving offences last year were recorded against people under 35.

 

Mobile phones:

From quickly setting up a satnav, to replying to a text, all these split-second decisions can be enough to cause collision – and it isn’t just a problem for young drivers. Of the drivers caught using their mobile phones whilst driving, over half we above the age of 36.

We know that many drivers are aware of the dangers of using mobiles, and many will be driving responsibly. But even just a second to glimpse down, could make all the difference.

 

Speeding:

Speed was a factor in 19% of collisions which caused injury or where people were killed in 2022.

The top speed which was recorded on Derbyshire roads was 115mph. Although not everyone reaches these speeds, speeding is still a big a problem when speed factors into nearly one in five collisions.

Although people often think young drivers are the most reckless, people aged over 35 were caught speeding most often last year.

 

Wearing Seatbelts:

Drivers and passengers who choose not to wear a seatbelt are at risk of severe injury, even in collisions that would otherwise not have been serious.

A vast majority of people do wear seatbelts, but unfortunately, we still see people who don’t. Preparing for your journey before you leave and putting on your seatbelt could very easily save your life.