Just four types of accidents across Europe account for most crashes resulting in the disabling injuries or death that destroy lives.
| 1. Head-on collisions |
On single carriageway roads the risk grows rapidly as traffic flows increase.
In Sweden, programmes of safety fences along the centre of single carriageways now prevent collisions with oncoming vehicles.
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| 2. Collisions with unfenced objects at the side of the road (run-off crashes) |
Thousands die each year on Europe's roads for want of affordable safety fencing. In Germany, 1,600 people die each year after hitting trees, as do over 800 in France. In the UK, 500 die colliding with objects close to the roadside.
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| 3. Side impacts at junctions |
These brutal accidents are often fatal because people are unavoidably seated close to the side of the car where it provides least protection.
Traffic lights on a high-speed road have risk of death built-in. Well-designed roundabouts are safer because vehicles are slowed and turned on approach and collisions become glancing blows.
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| 4. Collisions involving pedestrians/cyclists |
Pedestrians do not survive if struck by a vehicle at above 40km/h.
Drivers must be persuaded to obey speed limits. Vehicle manufacturers must make less aggressive car fronts. Road engineers must separate vehicles from pedestrians more effectively in built-up areas.
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