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When you read reports of yet another horrible car crash, it’s hard to believe the UK actually has one of the best road safety records in Europe. But according to recent figures, our low death rates are beaten only by Sweden, Malta and the Netherlands and we’ve reduced driver fatalities by 7% between 2001 and 2007.
But while we may be surprised by our impressive road safety record, it’s something the medical profession has been long aware of - particularly those caring for patients who need organ transplants. According to the BBC, 350 heart transplants were carried out a year a decade ago. Now, the figure is less than half that - and it’s simply because there aren’t as many healthy organs available.
In the 1990s, road accidents were more common and the victims were often young people who had died of head injuries. But thanks to numerous road safety campaigns and stringent rules on seatbelt wearing and drink driving, the number of fatal accidents has fallen so dramatically that there is now a critical lack of organs for transplant, despite an increase in people registering as donors.
Despite the increased safety on our roads we shouldn’t get too complacent. Car accidents are still so common that we have a one in 200 chance of dying on the road, according to road safety charity Brake.
You may be thinking, “But I don’t drink and drive, I wear my seatbelt and always stick to the speed limit. What else can I do?”
