How the Scotsman’s Alistair Dalton spun a one-year increase in a 40 year dramatic downward trend
Thanks to a parliamentary question at Holyrood last week by Finlay Carson, state broadcasters and both Tory car-experts, Carson and Carlaw (?), were shocked to discover that in only one case out of more than 800, was a ‘poor or defective road surface’ even a ‘contributory factor’ in the collision. In NO case was there a prosecution resulting from ‘poor maintenance.’
There were more than 800 fatalities on Scotland roads over the last 5 years, as the level of death and injury thankfully plummeted to less than one fifth of that in 1970.
https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/42306/sct04185220761.pdf
Details of the question and response:
Reporting Scotland: ‘Man dies ‘after’ going over bump in road!
Talking-up Scotland 
Is that a recent Hootsmon headline?
According to these data there has been a marked reduction in fatal and serious road accidents these past 50 years – down by around 82%. This is despite a steady increase in the number of vehicles on the roads.
I suspect that the strong campaigns against drinking and driving is the main factor, but other things like improved vehicle design, improved road design, more strictly imposed speed limits, real time information for drivers, seat belts have all played their part.
The Tories opposed things like speed limits, seat belts, even strict police action against drinking and driving.
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