§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of accidents involving road vehicles, for each of the last five years, are attributable to(a) driver error, (b) vehicle disrepair or faultiness, with particular regard to vehicle tyre condition; what was the number of people killed, seriously injured or injured as a result of those accidents, for each category of principal causal factor; and what action he intends to take to seek to reduce the casualty toll.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information requested is not collected on the STATS 19 form, and cannot be provided in the form requested.
Studies carried out by TRRL during the 1970s indicated that human error was a contributory factor in 95 per cent. of all road accidents and was the main cause in about 70 per cent. of them. A more recent study suggests that 5 per cent. of road accidents have vehicle defects as their main contributory factor.
We have set up a behavioural studies unit at TRRL, and put in hand new research into driver behaviour. We are also considering the recommendations of the North report as regards the enforcement of vehicle standards.