Failing to look properly is the biggest cause of collisions on the roads in Kent, according to figures from the Department for Transport¹.

Kent had the highest number of car crashes in Great Britain last year with 4,428 reported collisions.

“Nobody wants to spend Christmas in hospital or injured, especially when it is something that could be avoided,” said APIL president Brett Dixon. “As millions of people take to the roads to see family and friends, drivers really must be even more aware of the need to address dangerous habits to avoid needless collisions, injuries and subsequent insurance claims.”

The top ten contributory factors in car crashes in Great Britain are (figures for Kent are in parenthesis):

1. Driver/rider failed to look properly – contributory factor in 42,189 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 1,081 reported collisions last year)
2. Driver/rider failed to judge other person's path or speed – contributory factor in 21,211 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 633 reported collisions last year)
3. Driver/rider careless, reckless or in a hurry – contributory factor in 17,845 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 298 reported collisions last year)
4. Poor turn or manoeuvre – contributory factor in 15,560 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 355 reported collisions last year.
5. Loss of control – contributory factor in 12,151 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 447 reported collisions last year)
6. Pedestrian failed to look properly – contributory factor in 8,687 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 178 reported collisions last year)
7. Slippery road (due to weather) – contributory factor in 7,327 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 313 reported collisions last year)
8. Travelling too fast for conditions – contributory factor in 6,468 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 191 reported collisions last year)
9. Sudden braking – contributory factor in 6,264 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 246 reported collisions last year)
10. Following too close – contributory factor in 6,040 reported collisions. (In Kent this was a contributory factor in 162 reported collisions last year)

“The UK has some of the busiest roads in Europe with 50 per cent more traffic than the European average²,” said Mr Dixon. “It is essential, especially at this time of year, in bad weather and when roads are even busier, that motorists avoid as many of the dangerous driving habits in this list as possible. APIL has long campaigned against tailgating, in particular, and we are encouraging everyone to “back off” to help avoid needless injuries this Christmas.”

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Notes to editors:

• ¹Figures obtained from the Department of Transport: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/ras50-contributory-factors#table-ras50001
• ²Data published in 2015 by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
• Figures for other local authorities are available from the APIL press office (see contact details below).
• APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) is a not-for-profit organisation whose members are dedicated to campaigning for improvements in the law to help people who are injured or become ill through no fault of their own.
• For more information contact APIL's communications manager Jane Hartwell on t: 0115 943 5416, e: [email protected], or assistant press and communications officer Lizzy Freeman t: 0115 943 5431, e: [email protected].
• Visit the association's website at www.apil.org.uk.
• Follow @APIL on Twitter: www.twitter.com/APIL.