§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will advise how many pedestrians were involved in accidents caused by reversing vehicles during 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984 and 1983; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department does not collect causes of accidents. These are often disputed, or unclear, at the time of the accident.
The following table shows the total number of pedestrians injured, and the numbers injured by a vehicle reversing, for the years 1983 to 1987.
Pedestrian casualties, and those injured by reversing vehicles: Great Britain 1983–1987 Year Total pedestrian casualties Total involving reversing vehicle 1983 61,674 1,928 1984 63,474 1,937 1985 61,390 2,005 1986 60,875 2,100 1987 57,453 2,152 The full figures for 1988 are not yet available. However, among the accidents reported to date, there were 41,905 pedestrian casualties, of which 1,616 occurred while a vehicle was reversing.
Because of the obvious risks, the highway code contains clear advice to drivers to be especially careful when reversing, and not to reverse vehicles for longer than is necessary.