Figures show bad weather killed or injured 60 on Notts roads last year

Now in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire motorists are being warned to take care in the wintry weather after figures showed the extent poor conditions contribute to accidents.

Highways England said five people died and 58 were seriously injured last year in crashes where rain, snow and fog played a part.

Experts say one of the biggest factors in deaths on the road is drivers failing to alter how they fast they drive based on the weather conditions – a scenario seen in 1 in 9 deaths.

In Nottingham city, 18 people were seriously injured from driving in the rain alone in 2015.

Highways England emergency planning officer, Frank Bird said: “Temperatures are falling in the Midlands and we’re expecting sub-zero figures overnight and into the morning.

“We’d therefore encourage motorists heading out on the roads to stop and think about the weather conditions and adjust their driving style accordingly.”

driving-table-highways-england
The 2015 breakdown of deaths and injuries in bad weather by Notts area.

Following the first frost of the year, Highways England launched a campaign called ‘when it rains it kills’, highlighting the dangers of driving in rain over snow.

According to their statistics, you are 30 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in rain than snow.

Nationally, more than 2,000 people were killed or seriously injured on the road during rain in 2015.

The campaign includes a video showing the consequences of dangerous driving in bad weather, and the introduction of rain-activated paint messages for people leaving motorway services.

Video: Highways England’s new road safety video by award-winning photographer Nadav Kander. Highways England.

Highways England’s head of road safety, Richard Leonard, said: “Most of us already slow down in snow, ice or fog but when it rains we consider it normal, so don’t adapt our driving.

“The sad fact is that 2,918 people were killed or seriously injured on the roads in Great Britain when it was raining last year.

“Rain makes it harder for tyres to grip the road and harder for drivers to see ahead- significantly increasing the chances of being involved in a collision.”

Highways England recommends that in wet weather you should:

  • Slow down if the rain and spray from vehicles is making it difficult to see and be seen.
  • Keep well back from the vehicle in front as this will increase your ability to see and plan ahead;
  • Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually if the steering becomes unresponsive as it probably means that water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road.