Motor Industry News

Cyclist casualties in the UK 'continue to rise'

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has been generally pleased with the findings of Department of Transport's (DfT's) latest casualty figures, except in the respect of safety to cyclists on the road.

According to the DfT research, the number of people killed in road accidents between July and September last year was down to 500 - a two per cent fall on 2010's statistics.

Overall, the number of road casualties recorded in the UK during the same period was down five per cent, reaching 55,105 incidents.

Despite these drops though, the DfT also highlighted that the number of cyclist casualties across the country rose from 5,466 between July and September 2010 to 5,470 cases during the same period last year.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the IAM, commented: "It is extremely concerning that cyclists’ casualties are not reducing and this is something the government and local councils must act must act on."

Meanwhile, insurance firm Young Marmalade has recently warned the government that rising public transport fares and more expensive car insurance premiums are making it hard for many young people to secure a job.