Safety on the road..

[empip]

...By 1994, proposals for the adoption in European legislation of the EEVC test proposals were being strongly resisted by the car industry....

...the intention was to assess cars using the EEVC Frontal, Side and Pedestrian tests procedures and publish the results as consumer information. The industry's views were sought. At the meeting, the manufacturers' response was very negative...

...On the same day, the car manufacturers held their own press conference, at an exclusive London restaurant, where they heavily criticised Euro NCAP, its tests and its ratings. One of the many claims was that the assessment criteria was so severe that no car could achieve four stars, for occupant protection....

...In June 2001, a further milestone was reached when the Renault Laguna became the first car to be awarded 5 stars for occupant protection. Although other cars were awarded 5 stars later, it was suggested that the requirements were too severe for a supermini. However in November 2004, the Renault Modus became the first supermini to gain 5 stars. Standards have now risen so much that it is common for cars to achieve this rating and increasingly manufacturers see 5 stars as the goal for all their new models...

Manufacturers were well up for it then !

Referencing document below, in particular the data on page 140 sect 8.3, 6th set down the page, 'All roads, all severities'...
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datat.../2006edition/sectioneighttransportacciden1846 (the download is only 10 pages from full doc.)
The rate per 100Million Km drops noticeably from 2002 although total k's are rising about 1% p/a.

Is the 'rate' drop due to :-
1) Slower moving traffic ?
2) Speed cameras?
3) Driver awareness?
4) Effects of safer vehicles (NCAP)?

A little of each no doubt, but which has been having the most effect?

The best advance in F1 IMHO is in the protection of the driver today.
They are certainly not taking bends at slower speeds...