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Sky News
23 minutes ago
- Sky News
What does the data tell us about road traffic accidents in the UK?
Under "tougher" plans to tackle road deaths and injuries in England and Wales, the government has announced measures to make over-70s take compulsory eye tests every three years or lose their driving licence. But are they really needed? Motorists over the age of 70 already self-report their medical fitness to drive every three years, and British roads are safer now than they've ever been. In 2023, the latest year for which the Department for Transport has published data, the casualty rate on British roads fell to 398 per billion vehicle miles. It's the first time that figure has been under 400, and has halved since just 2006. In 1960, the casualty rate was 10 times higher than it is now. The total number of people killed on the UK's roads also reached a record low in 2023, other than the COVID-affected years of 2020 and 2021. There were 1,624 people killed in total, just under half of which were in cars. This figure has plateaued somewhat since 2010, however, after rapid improvements between 2006 and 2010. There was a similar plateau between 1994 and 2006 before the last significant piece of road safety legislation was introduced. The 2006 Road Safety Act introduced higher fines and more points for the most severe speeding offences, as well as vastly expanding the use of speed awareness courses. It was also the first year that people could get points on their licence for using their phone. In the four years that followed, there was a 40% decrease in deaths among road users. In the 13 years since then, it's fallen just 12%. There had been a slight rise in deaths among older drivers for a few years between 2014 and 2019, but that has started to fall again now. There are now fewer deaths among over-70s compared with either the under-30s, people aged 30-49, or those between 50 and 69. In 2019, there were a similar number of deaths among people of each of these age cohorts. Academic studies have previously found that older people are also more likely to develop symptoms of depression, be admitted to care facilities, and even have a higher mortality rate, once they stop driving. The academics found that those links remained even after adjusting for other factors like baseline health and cognitive ability. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "It is certainly good for our eye health as we age to have a regular eye test - every two years the NHS advises - but this doesn't automatically mean that a compulsory eye test at age 70 is appropriate. People can develop eye problems at any age so why confine such an approach only to those aged 70 and not to younger drivers too? "From the data we have seen, there is no reason to suppose that eye problems lie behind a significant proportion of accidents. While there may be a case for introducing a regular mandatory eye test for drivers of all ages, it is not clear that this would have a big impact on the numbers of serious accidents involving older drivers." Are younger drivers a danger to themselves? Edmund King, president of the Automobile Association, said that the government's strategy is "much overdue", while pointing to the figures showing that the number of road deaths have plateaued since 2010. He said that making vision checks compulsory for older drivers was a "practical step that can make a real difference", but added that failing to introduce a six-month limit on new drivers transporting passengers of a similar age is "a major oversight". A limit like this has been active in parts of Australia since 2007. Research by road safety charity Brake says that, in the UK, around one in five drivers crash within a year of passing their test. The Department for Transport data also shows that younger people are also significantly more likely to die as passengers compared to people in other age groups. There has also been a suggestion that younger drivers are more likely to die as a result of not wearing seatbelts. More than a third of 17-29-year-olds who die on the roads didn't have their seatbelts on. But the same is true of 30-59 year olds. There is a significant difference between men and women however - 31% of men who died did so without wearing a seatbelt, compared with just 11% of women. That also means that 89% of women who died on the roads did so despite wearing a seatbelt, perhaps adding to evidence that suggests that seatbelts offer better protection to adult men. Drink-driving Since 2014, Scotland has had a lower drink-drive limit than the rest of the UK. The government's new proposals would reduce the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to the same level as in Scotland - 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, instead of the current level of 80mg of alcohol. For an average-sized man, that means they would be over the limit after one pint of beer, instead of after two. In diverging from the other nations in the UK, the new standards in Scotland aligned with most of Europe. It seems to have had some impact. The number of collisions involving drink drivers has fallen by more than 40% in Scotland since it was introduced, compared with 20% in England over the same time period, and 38% in Wales. The improvement is less pronounced when it comes to the most serious drink-driving road accidents, though. They are down just 7% since 2014. Where are the safest, and most dangerous, places to drive? The Isle of Wight has the highest current fatality rate, after accounting for how much driving people do. There were 18 deaths per billion vehicle miles on the island in 2023. Next was Blackpool, with 16. The central London boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Lambeth were the only other local authorities with a rate higher than 10. At the other end of the scale, Stockport (Greater Manchester), Thurrock (Essex) and Nottingham each had fewer than one death per billion vehicle miles. When it comes to accidents that included not just deaths but also serious injuries, London has the worst record. Drivers in Westminster were most likely to end up in a serious collision, but the nine most dangerous local authorities in Great Britain were all London boroughs. Bradford completed the bottom 10. Bath and North East Somerset was the safest area, although three Welsh areas - Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Cardiff - joined South Gloucestershire in the top five. Scottish drivers were among the most likely to avoid being in crashes altogether. Eight of the 10 local authorities with the lowest overall collision rate were north of the border, although Rutland in the East Midlands had the lowest overall rate. The top 20 areas with the most collisions per mile driven were all in London. How does driving in the UK compare with other countries? The UK is one of the safest places to drive in Europe. Only Norway and Sweden had a lower rate of road deaths per head of population in 2023 than the UK's 25 deaths per million people. The figures in places like Italy, Greece and Portugal were more than twice as high. There aren't any directly comparable figures for 2023 for the US, but in 2022 their death rate from driving was five times as high as the UK, and 50% higher than the worst performing European country - Bulgaria. The Data and Forensics
The Review Geek
an hour ago
- The Review Geek
Mafia: The Old Country Guide: 'Chapter 4 – Il Barone' Walkthrough & Collectibles
Mafia: The Old Country Guide: Chapter 4 – Il Barone Chapter 4 of Mafia: Old Country picks up in 1905. When you begin, head over and grab a horse from the stables. When you open the menu, scroll across to the Saddle options and choose Polio Tack to unlock the Achievement: Riding in Style. You don't have to stick with this Saddle and can switch it back if you wish, but this is one of the simpler trophies you can get almost immediately here. You can also choose to customize your Horse here with Dinari, granting extra Spurs or a different appearance entirely, but the default horse should suffice. Ride to the ruins with Isabella Back to top ↑ Once you're ready, ride with Isabella until you stop the first time. You'll need to help the boys out with their car, so approach the front and hit X to crank it for Gennaro until you're ready to move on again. The second stop with the priest you don't need to get off your horse. Eventually you'll come to a race section. Race with Isabella The race with Isabella is quite straightforward and the same tactics you used in chapter 2 will also work here too. Use Spurs during straight sections of the countryside to speed up, and cut the corners whenever you turn left or right. You don't gain anything by winning or losing (except bragging rights) but eventually you'll ride on together to the next area. Join Isabella on the overlook Back to top ↑ Eventually you'll reach the overlook with Isabella, where you'll be shown how to use the Camera. This is the first Photograph you'll get automatically and the tutorial will help show how to line up the shot just right. To get the right focus and exposure, you need to make sure the arrows turn Yellow. When you do, snap the photo for your journal. Ride to the ruins with Isabella When that's done, follow Isabella to the ruins where a cutscene will trigger. With Gennaro and Isabella off together, it's time to go for a ride with Luca. Just as you did before, crank the car again and we'll be back on our way. You'll now have a driving tutorial and will end up driving round the ruins twice. On the second circuit, you'll need to race back to the ruins for a shootout. Get to the temple Back to top ↑ The shootout here is relatively straightforward, but from here on out, it's a good idea to try and get as many headshots as you can for the Achievement: Cold-Blooded, which requires 30 headshot takedowns on enemies. The rifle is a great option for this. Work your way through the temple ruins but do note that if you hug the right side of the arena (from your starting position and the opposite side to the marked location) you'll find a workbench tucked under a large tarp which holds a Trinacria on (pictured below). After dispatching all the soldiers, head for the marked spot on your screen to trigger another cutscene and a chase sequence. Pursue the bandits Back to top ↑ Now you'll be driving with Enzo after Isabella and will need to shoot the kidnappers as they race away. Watch out for the parts of the road that are burned or columns destroyed as you drive. Eventually you'll come to a corner where you'll need to take a left turn and will find the yellow marker right in front of you. Don't brake at the corner and keep your finger pressed on the accelerator. As you descend the hill you'll do so at speed, and as you jump off the edge of the path into the air, you'll manage to go at enough speed to get some airtime and nab the Achievement: Daredevil for jumping the car over 40 meters. This chase sequence does go on for a while and after hopping aboard your horse, you'll need to chase after Isabella while on horseback. This is less about getting Isabella and more about taking out the pursuing attackers so keep going and don't fret if the wagon gets too far away. Keep using your spur on the straight sections of the path too and fire at the bandits as they get close on horseback. Eventually this section will trigger another cutscene. Find Gennaro Back to top ↑ When you take control of Enzo, Charm: Fantasma will be resting on the wall right in front of you. This dampens your footsteps and makes you harder to detect, and as stealth will serve you well in this first area, I'd recommend equipping it for the time being. You can go in all-guns blazing if you want, but as some levels require you to keep to stealth for Achievements, this is a great opportunity to test those skills out. From your starting position, descend down into the camp via the right path. Take out the guard in front of you after the second guard moves away, then keep crouched and continue moving toward the marker on the right. At this point there should be two guards patrolling back and forth. If you take either of these guys out, it's a good idea to move the bodies out of sight, preferably in the cave you originally entered into this area from. There's a blue box there you can stuff enemy soldiers inside. Hug the rock wall to your right and then circle around and enter the next cave. Follow the route with the orange torches, up the stairs, and stealthily take out any soldiers in your way until you climb some stairs. Keep following the torches and you'll come to a large cave with a ton of enemies inside. You can do this bit stealthily but it'll take a while. Alternatively, there's a rifle overlooking the top of an enemy camp that you can use to dispatch these guys. On one of the tables in the middle of the camp you'll find the Newspaper: Russo-Japanese War collectible (pictured above). This is also missable so you need to make sure you pick that up while you're here! Exit the cave and follow the path up. However, on the way you'll find an enemy soldier moving to the left and a path overlooking a beautiful view. You'll also find a Mystery Fox here, just to the right of the campfire. Regardless of if you've done the whole section stealthily or not, at the top of this path you'll need to attack the soldiers that arrive and take them out. Keep moving through the area and at the end of this path, you'll find Gennaro. However, just before interacting with him, be sure to check left of the campfire to grab the Charm: San Giuda pick-up. Find a way out of the camp Untie Gennaro and then follow the path all the way up to the marker. Hop over the fence and you'll have another fight on your hands. Knife Fight – Messina Back to top ↑ Messina is a tough cookie but the rules here are largely the same and don't differ too much from previous fights. Be patient, use parries wisely and counterattack when you can. Don't lunge in too aggressively and bide your time to hit him where it hurts. Eventually Messina will go down and it'll trigger another cutscene to end the chapter. For completing this section, you'll nab the Achievement: A Trip to the Coast.
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Ford Rolls Out Tempting 2025 Escape Lease Deals for August
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Orders for the high-performance wagon reached an all-time high in the first half. View post: Audi RS6 Avant Is Having Its Best Sales Year Ever This month's lease specials make Ford's best-selling truck even more tempting for work and play. 'I'll definitely be picking up another one or two.' View post: Walmart Has a 'Sturdy and Stable' Plastic Shelving Unit on Sale for Just $29 The IIHS is urging action after recognizing a significant difference in traffic fatalities between the U.S. and Canada. A solid choice in a crowded segment The Ford Escape has been a fixture in the compact SUV market for more than two decades, blending practical size with a comfortable ride and useful tech. Over the years, it has evolved from a simple, boxy runabout into a sleeker, more refined vehicle that still nails the everyday utility shoppers want. That evolution has kept the Escape relevant despite fierce competition from the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and others. Ford's strategy for 2025 is to keep refining the Escape's strengths — and right now, to pair them with lease offers that could make it a serious contender for budget-conscious buyers. 0:04 / 0:09 The top 10 best value used cars in 2025 Watch More August lease offers sweeten the deal This month, Ford is offering a 2025 Escape Active AWD for $319 per month for 36 months with $3,319 due at signing. For those who prefer a lower upfront cost, there's also an offer at $399 per month for the same term, with just $399 due at signing. Ford Escape — Source: Ford By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation. The second deal also includes a complimentary two-year maintenance plan, easing some ownership costs. Both offers waive the security deposit. Taxes, title, and license fees are extra, but the pricing compares well against other AWD compact SUVs in this class. What's new for 2025 The 2025 Escape continues the model's recent design refresh, with clean lines, a broad grille, and LED lighting giving it a contemporary look. Inside, the cabin is functional but pleasant, with available contrast stitching, soft-touch materials, and a straightforward control layout. Ford Escape — Source: Ford Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment system remains standard, with a large, responsive touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features like a digital gauge cluster and a panoramic sunroof help it compete with more premium rivals. Why the Escape still works in 2025 Power comes from a standard 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine paired with an 8-speed automatic, delivering solid fuel economy for the segment. Intelligent AWD is available, giving the Escape added confidence in poor weather or light off-road situations. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 Ford Escape — Source: Ford Practicality is another strong point — the Escape's rear seats slide to expand cargo space or legroom, and folding them down opens up plenty of room for weekend trips or bulky gear. Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist features are standard, adding a layer of safety tech that rivals sometimes reserve for higher trims. Final thoughts In a field packed with capable compact SUVs, the Escape still holds its own thanks to its balanced ride, flexible interior, and competitive tech. August's lease specials add even more appeal, whether you're looking for a low monthly payment or minimal cash due at signing. If a comfortable, versatile, and affordable AWD SUV is on your radar, this could be the month to give the 2025 Escape a serious look. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Elijah Nicholson-Messmer View Profile
