Road Traffic Accident stats
- RTC deaths cost the UK economy around £3bn per annum – about twice the estimated costs associated with traffic congestion
- It is estimated that 46 per cent of fatalities could be prevented if first aid assistance was available early at the scene, with the potential to save the UK economy in the region of £1.5bn pa
- Between 39 and 85 per centof preventable pre-hospital deaths may be due to airway obstruction
- Death occurs from a blocked airway in about four minutes. The target time for an ambulance is about eight minutes
- By 2035, traffic volumes are projected to be 46 per cent higher and average delays 54 per cent longer, than in 2003; the impact on future ambulance response times is self-evident
NOBODY wants to see drivers die on the roads needlessly.
But many drivers – nearly half – suffering fatal injuries could be saved if satisfactory first aid was delivered at the roadside before the emergency services arrive.
So it’s a big welcome to Driver First Assist, a new initiative aimed at reducing the level of road traffic collision (RTC) casualties.
It’s aimed at company car drivers and other professional drivers (such as van and truck drivers) because they often arrive at a road traffic accident scene first since they spend so much time on the road.
Driver First Assist aims to provide company car drivers with basic first aid training before the arrival of the emergency services.
Some 46% of road deaths could be prevented if first aid was available earlier at an accident, says Driver First Assist.
Driver First Assist founder David Higginbottom said: “Simple first aid techniques could do much to reduce casualties while the emergency services own ability to perform would be dramatically enhanced by receiving an onsite situation report the moment they arrive on scene.”
Driver First Assist, a not-for-profit organisation, has the backing of the police, ambulance and fire services.
Click here for further information on the campaign and course availability.
