Economy Kick Start Leads To Road Safety Benefits

LONDON – November 24, 2008: The Chancellor's Pre Budget Report (PBR) is a catalyst that is needed to reduce the number of fatal and serious road traffic accidents, said the UK’s largest road safety charity, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) today.

Neil Greig, Director of the IAM Motoring Trust, said: “The economic crisis has lead to a reduction in sales of new vehicles with safety features which can deliver better braking, cornering and passenger protection. Instead people are keeping their vehicles for longer and skimping on basic maintenance and repairs.

"While a brand new vehicle may be the last thing consumers contemplate in a downturn, the increased safety features of newer, previously used vehicles are going to have a beneficial effect in terms of crash protection.

"The Chancellor has also said that instead of penalising the most polluting cars in 2010 with an additional VED of £90, he has reduced this to only £30, which will be welcomed by those who cannot upgrade their older, gas guzzling vehicles.

"The proposal to bring forward public investment into the motorway network from 2011 to 2009 increases motorway capacity sooner, reduces the dangers of congestion and ultimately improves the quality of the road network; this also may help reduce deaths and serious injury.”