§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the estimated average cost, for the latest year for which figures are available for (a) road accidents and (b) rail accidents in each of the following categories: (i) fatal accidents, (ii) serious accidents, (iii) slight accidents and (iv) accidents involving damage only;
(2) what are the total numbers of (a) rail and (b) road accidents for the latest year in which figures are available, broken down into the following categories: (i) fatal accidents, (ii) serious accidents, (iii) slight accidents and (iv) accidents involving damage only.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe problems of comparing road and rail accident statistics are covered on pages 15–17 of Road 337W Accidents Great Britain 1982, a copy of which is in the Library. I would recommend that this book be consulted in interpreting the following figures. Figures for the estimated cost of rail accidents are not available.
Average cost of road accidents in 1982 £ Fatal 158,630 Serious injury 8,400 Slight injury 1,150 Damage only 490
Number of accidents in 1982 Number Road Fatal 5,447 Serious 66,139 Slight 184,394 Damage only Not known Rail Fatal 57 Major 251 Minor 8,449 Damage *998 * Including accidents in which injuries occurred.