UK Road Safety Analysis
In 2022, the United Kingdom witnessed 91,199 road accidents. Through comprehensive data analysis, we uncovered critical insights about accident patterns, driver demographics, and safety improvements.
In 2022, the United Kingdom witnessed 91,199 road accidents, a stark reminder of the persistent challenges in ensuring road safety. Through comprehensive analysis of government data, we uncovered critical insights about accident patterns, driver demographics, and potential safety improvements.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was to analyze an extensive dataset comprising 91,199 accidents across the UK, including complex relationships between accidents, vehicles, and casualties.
The data needed to be processed and analyzed across multiple dimensions: driver demographics, accident severity, vehicle manoeuvres, timing patterns, and environmental conditions.
We needed to transform raw data into actionable insights that could inform policy decisions and safety improvements.
The Process
We implemented a systematic approach to data analysis using a combination of powerful tools and techniques:
Data Import and Preparation
Used custom Python scripts to create database tables and prepare CSV files for loading into MySQL, ensuring data integrity and proper formatting for analysis.
Driver Demographics Analysis
Analyzed age distribution of drivers involved in accidents, revealing an average age of 34.5 years and identifying specific risk patterns among different age groups.
Severity Analysis
Examined accident severity distribution, finding that while 84.06% of accidents were slight, the remaining serious and fatal accidents required focused attention for prevention.
Temporal Pattern Analysis
Investigated accident frequency by hour, revealing peak times around 8:00 and 17:00, corresponding to rush hour traffic and workforce movement patterns.
Environmental Factor Analysis
Studied the impact of lighting conditions on accident severity, discovering that poor lighting conditions correlated with more severe accidents.
Vehicle Manoeuvre Study
Analyzed common vehicle manoeuvres in accidents, identifying 'Going ahead other' as the most frequent type, followed by turning movements.
The Solution
Based on our comprehensive analysis, we developed targeted recommendations for improving road safety:
Age-Targeted Interventions
Developed specific recommendations for younger (<23) and older (>50) drivers who showed higher likelihood of involvement in serious accidents.
Infrastructure Improvements
Proposed strategic improvements to road lighting and intersection design based on accident severity patterns and common manoeuvres.
Peak Hour Safety Measures
Recommended traffic management strategies for peak hours (8:00 and 17:00) when accident rates were highest.
Policy Recommendations
Suggested adjustments to driver licensing policies and educational programs based on demographic analysis and accident patterns.
The Results
The analysis provided valuable insights that can contribute to significant improvements in road safety:
This comprehensive analysis provided actionable insights for improving road safety through targeted interventions in driver education, infrastructure improvements, and policy adjustments.