Is the pandemic to thank for reduced collisions, or advanced driver technology?

02 February 2021

Accident aftercare provider AX has found that the number of rear-end collisions on UK roads fell by 27% last year (2020). We at Marshall Minibus leasing are always interested in the latest findings, particularly when it comes to road safety. Keeping our drivers safe is our number one priority and we would love to speak to you about how we can help you to manage risk.

AX handled a lower number of accidents overall in 2020. Only 24.7% of cases involved a rear-end collision – a 5.6% decrease from ‘normal’, which resulted in ‘hit while parked’ becoming the most common type of accident accounting for almost a third of all collisions. 

Interestingly, AX expressed that advanced safety technology, such as automatic emergency braking which now comes ‘as standard’ in most new vehicles, could be partly to thank for the reduction in rear-end collisions, alongside the reduced traffic levels through the pandemic.

This is despite the fact that other industry professionals have expressed their concern that drivers need more training with advanced safety technology, as drivers have been found to be switching off their advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). 

AX also found that the time of day in which most accidents occur has changed due to the pandemic. Normally, the evening commute between 17:00 and 18:00 has the highest accident rate, but in 2020 the peak shifted to the school run rush hour between 15:00 and 16:00. This has been put down to the fact that offices closed during lockdown, whilst schools remained open from September through to the Christmas break.

Director of sales and operations at AX Scott Hamilton-Cooper said, “It’s fascinating to see how the pandemic has impacted how and when collisions occur. For instance, our data shows a definite shift of incidents to early and mid-afternoon from the typical morning rush hour.

“Ordinarily, our data would show that November to March is when the greatest number of accidents occur – when the days are shorter, there’s more rainfall and, at times, wintery conditions can make the roads treacherous.

“However, the result of two national lockdowns, in addition to a change in vehicle congestion levels during this period, means our data will paint a very different picture this winter.”

Contact us for Minibus Leasing 

To find out more about our minibus leasing services, please contact us on 01480 220444 or email info@marshall-minibus.co.uk.

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