More often than not, stories concerning road safety in the UK are tales of doom and gloom. There’s hardly anything positive to say, whether it’s to do with pollution, road safety, congestion, fuel prices and so on.

Which is precisely why we thought we’d buck the trend, by taking a look at something that reads like genuinely positive news. As far as the figures are concerned, it’s official – UK roads are getting safer and safer all the time.

Here’s how things have looked over the past couple of decades:

  • 3409 accident fatalities recorded in 2000
  • 2222 accident fatalities recorded in 2009
  • 1770 accident fatalities recorded in 2018
  • 1713 accident fatalities recorded in 2019

Almost every year since 2000, there’s been a gradual decline in the number of people losing their lives on the roads. The number is still way higher than it should be, but any signs of positive progress are welcome. 

The question being – why is it that UK roads are getting safer? What are the main factors that are contributing to improved road safety in the UK?

Key Road Safety Contributors

There are countless theories as to why road safety has been improving consistently over the past couple of decades at least. However, the overwhelming majority of explanations fall within two brackets – technological advancements and alterations to UK driving law.

Technological Changes

One of the biggest contributors to improved UK road safety is the way in which technology has evolved almost beyond recognition over the years. For one thing, the vast majority of cars on the roads these days have all manner of safety features that weren’t around back in the day. Lane departure warning systems, intelligent lights and windscreen wipers, cruise control, automatic hazard detection and braking – all contributing to the cause. 

In addition, new technology is enabling the development and production of safer cars in general than ever before. Which means that when a motorist is involved in an accident, the risk of serious injury or death is lower.

Changes in the Law

Alterations to UK driving laws have also helped, with authorities across the country having clamped down (to an extent at least) on reckless and dangerous drivers. New technology has been rolled out to make it more difficult than ever before to get away with speeding, running red lights and generally driving like a maniac. Fines and penalties for those busted for offences on the roads have also been stepped up over the years.

All of which has motivated a change in attitudes, encouraging more motorists to drive carefully and responsibly than ever before. Awareness of the importance of road safety is at an all-time high, meaning more drivers understand why it is that taking care on the roads matters. Not simply for the fact that they’ll be punished heavily if they break the rules – more a case of acknowledging and appreciating the importance of collective road safety.

The UK is becoming a safer place to drive all the time, despite our roads being among the most congested in Europe. Which is, when you think about it, quite an impressive achievement!