UK roads littered with danger

In addition to treacherous weather conditions, research carried out by Motorpoint, the UK’s leading car supermarket, has revealed that motorists are also facing a daily battle against the dangers caused by debris spread across the UK’s road network. The survey results showed that a staggering 89% of drivers have had to dangerously swerve to avoid material on the road, with remnants of tyres, cardboard boxes, and plastic bags some of the items most commonly seen on motorways and dual carriageways.

Even more worrying is the lack of prospect in the improvement in the safety of drivers when attempting such a manoeuvre in which many have to react spontaneously, thereby increasing the risk of accident. In a prior study, the UK’s leading car supermarket group found that nearly two-thirds of motorists have no interest in buying a new car equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), an active safety system which detects the risk of a skid at an early stage even before the driver, and uses the vehicle’s brakes to bring the vehicle safely back into line. A car fitted with the technology is 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident compared to one which does not have it.

“The findings from the Motorpoint survey are very disappointing”, said David Fulker, head of UK marketing for chassis systems control at Bosch, the inventors of the technology. “Studies show that stability control braking could reduce skidding accidents by up to 80% yet this research shows that motorists are still unaware of its life saving benefits. We welcome the promotion of ESC at the point of vehicle purchase.”

As the installation of this active safety system is currently not compulsory, only around 50% of new car models sold in the UK in 2007 are fitted with ESC. If every vehicle in the country was fitted with ESC, 7,800 accidents would be avoided each year and 380 lives would be saved. The European Commission is looking to have all new cars sold in the EU by 2011 to be fitted as standard with the technology.

Commenting on the results, David Shelton, Managing Director of Motorpoint explains: “Our latest findings present a concerning situation as drivers already have enough distractions on the nation’s roads, which is not being helped by them turning into a rubbish tip, and causing added danger. As a supporter of RoadSafe, we recognise that the safety of our customers is paramount, and thereby all active-safety features are clearly listed on the windscreen of every vehicle, meaning that customers are immediately informed about such technology at the very first point of contact.”