fatal crashes...

[joko]

statistically do they normally occur on motorways?

i would imagine so, given the general speeds driven, the distnaces without stopping people are often travelling and the abundance of large vehicles

does anyone know the facts?

[Buenchico]

Motorways are by far the safest roads in the country. Accidents generally occur between vehicles travelling in the same direction, so the effect of the impact is not as severe as in the head-on crashes that occur on other roads.

In 2008 42% of road accident fatalities occurred on 'built-up' roads (with speed limits of less than 40mph). 52% of fatalities occurred on non-built up roads other than motorways (with speed limits of 40mph or greater). 6% of fatalities occurred on motorways:
http://docs.google.co..._LyIyuwKhpgo8cdEKZtbQ

Chris

[ABerrant]

A high proportion of 30-40mph urban fatalities are pedestrians, of which far fewer are to be found on motorways (although hard shoulder fatalities do occur), thus a simple comparison of motorway vs.non-motorway figures may not fit into the definition of "crash" you envisaged when thinking about motorway type traffic.

An example comparison of motorway vs. 60mph single carriageway figures (as an attempt to minimise possible pedestrian interaction) indicates 158 motorway fatalities against 928 60mph fatalities in 2008.

[chas2008]

i have always been led to believe, that as a % of the volume of traffic motorways are safer, its just a bit like plane travel when a crash does occur it can be a big one which always looks worse. Many accidents occur on country roads usually as a result of some dodgy overtaking and often its the innocent party just out for nice drive that becomes the victim because of some idiot..

[TWR]

Hi Joko, I have done a good No of years Motorway HGV driving, as you know all the Traffic are sectioned by the Central Barrier, the accidents I have seen have been caused by lack of understanding, lack of concentration, not knowing where you are, last min judgment ( OH that's the junction I need) sod everyone else IN TURN causing one hell of a pile up, seen it, seen the video, Underestimation of speed, dropping to sleep ( Yes, this does happen) if someone has said to you that they have not they are liers ( Been there) as many others will tell you,not getting well over on the hard shoulder when broken down & opening their bloody doors when a HGV passes ( In-turn can suck them out, you think I am joking!! far from it, & Lastly travelling to close, if people forward thought half of the accidents would not happen but while motorists think that it will not happen to me & that sort of attitude then Motorway pile up's will always occur. Have a safe one.

[jake-the-peg]

I think most fatal accidents happen on rural roads. 53%
http://www.brake.org.uk/facts/rural-roads

Trees are very unforgiving

[chas2008]

trees are very unforgiving, i work in the motortrade where we had the police contract for local recovery, saw many fatals caused by nice solid trees !! many of these could of been avoided by wearing seat belts...something i saw all to often.

[razza]

According to statistics most accidents happen within a few miles of where you live.