Pages On: Wrongful & Accidental Death

Fatal Accident in Aberdeen Claims

Posted in: Personal Injury, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Losing a loved one is hard enough, but when it’s at the hands of a negligent party, grief turns to anger, confusion, and stress. When people important to you suffer a Fatal Accident, the consequences don’t end with them, they ripple across the whole family. Accidental deaths put a significant strain on the emotional and financial health of the entire family. Trying to hold those responsible to account can be almost impossible while trying to cope with losing another breadwinner, and/or suffering psychiatric distress from the death. This is where…

Army death wrongly recorded as suicide

Posted: 15 February 2016

Posted in: Armed Forces Injuries, Criminal Injury and Assault, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

8-year-old Pte Cheryl James died at Deepcut barracks in 1995, which, at the time, was recorded as suicide. A second inquest into her death has, however, recognised that her death, originally recorded as suicide amid allegations of bullying and abuse at the barracks, may not have been suicide. Twenty years later, the army has apologised to her family, for “failing” young recruits. The inquest heard from Brig John Donnelly, the Army’s director of personal services, that the army had not been fully aware of the risks of leaving young soldiers to carry…

Port operator fined £300,000 over worker death

Posted: 30 January 2016

Posted in: Employer Negligence, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Port operator, Clydeport has been fined £300,000 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court following the death of 22-year-old worker Craig Logan in February 2015. The operator pleaded guilty to several breaches of health and safety laws, including failure to make risk assessments and ensure safe working practice. These led to Mr Logan being crushed to death on a crane at a coal terminal in Hunterston, Ayrshire. Mr Logan had gone to inspect the unloader crane cab when it had stopped working. It was revealed that Clydeport had failed to ensure that the cab was…

One killed and two injured taxi passengers in Glasgow crash

Posted: 30 November 2015

Posted in: Car Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A car crash in the east end of Glasgow has left one passenger dead and another seriously injured. It was heard from police that a green Vauxhall Astra collided with a black Hackney cab at around 00:30 on Sunday. The accident happened at a set of traffic lights at the junction of Springboig Road and Stepps Road. It was heard that a 57-year-old woman, who had been travelling in the taxi, died at the scene. The other passenger, a 52-year-old man, was taken straight to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary with…

Review into patient death at QEU Hospital in Glasgow

Posted: 8 November 2015

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A thorough investigation is currently underway after an elderly man died on a trolley in one of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s corridors while awaiting treatment. It was heard that the patient suffered a cardiac arrest during his six-hour wait in the £842m hospital’s Immediate Assessment Unit corridor. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) said that a review of the patient’s treatment is currently being carried out. It was heard that the patient, who remains unnamed, arrived at the unit when it was extremely busy and “under pressure”. Patients that…

Schoolboy dies after industrial accident during work placement

Posted: 21 August 2015

Posted in: School Accidents, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A young schoolboy was killed last week in an industrial accident during his time on a work placement in Aberdeenshire. 17-year-old Michael McLean was found unconscious at Denholm Oilfield Services in Inverurie last Friday, before being rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Doctors were unable to revive him, and his life-support machine was later switched off. The teenager from Kincorth in Aberdeen had been on his last day of a summer placement with the company when the accident happened. The boy’s father, Mark McLean, works for the company and had secured…

Girl’s car crash death sparks call for speed limit change

Posted: 27 July 2015

Posted in: Car Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A 22-year-old woman died after suffering severe injuries in a car crash last week. Disneyland Paris performer Karen Gibson crashed into a tree on a notoriously dangerous road in Hamilton, and died in hospital two days later. Following the accident, a number of previous casualties were unearthed, inspiring her friends to draw up a petition to have the speed limit lowered on the road. The petition has already attracted over 2,500 signatures. The petition states that a total of five road traffic accidents had happened on Carlisle Road in Hamilton…

Hospital halts children's heart operations after three deaths

Posted: 29 June 2015

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A Glasgow hospital has suspended heart operations on children after it emerged that three children died after having operations there. The fatalities occurred at Yorkhill Hospital, which was closed earlier this month, within one month of each other. The National Services Division, on behalf of the Scottish Government, has since launched an investigation, which will look at the cardiology department, intensive care, anaesthetics and cardiac surgery. Where the hospital has been closed, the services have been moved to the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children at the South Glasgow Hospitals…

Construction firm fined £200,000 over employee death

Posted: 25 June 2015

Posted in: Neck Injuries, Shoulder Injuries, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A construction firm has been fined £200,000 after a worker died on a building site in Glasgow. 31-year-old Daniel Hurley, from Cork, Ireland, died in 2009 after a steel frame fell on top of him, crushing him. The firm, Morris and Spottiswood, was fined after admitting to health and safety failings that caused the death. It was heard in Glasgow Sheriff Court that Mr Hurley’s partner, 34-year-old Carrie McArthur, felt that the case took far too long to reach court, which she stated in a letter written to Sheriff Norman…

Tyre maker fined after worker is trapped and killed in industrial oven

Posted: 3 May 2015

Posted in: Faulty Work Equipment, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Tyre-making company Pirelli has been fined £150,000 after one of its employees died in an industrial oven. 48-year-old George Falder, from Carlisle, was found dead in the machine, (which reaches temperatures of 150C) by one of his colleagues. The Health and Safety Executive described it as a “tragic death”. Pirelli admitted to health and safety failings that caused the death in the Carlisle Crown Court. The company was forced to pay £46,700 in costs. The HSE brought further criminal proceedings against the company after an investigation found that there was no…

Pensioner hit by car whilst woman was texting

Posted: 9 February 2015

Posted in: Pedestrian Injuries, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A motorist that knocked down a pedestrian in Aberdeen in 2012 has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. 21-year-old Rachel Forsyth, from Westhill, had been accused of killing 79-year-old Lillian Morrison as a result of driving while using her mobile phone. Despite denying the charges, she was found guilty at the High Court in Aberdeen last week. The accident happened on 27 December 2012 on Aberdeen’s Queen’s Road. Ms Forsyth had been on her way to work at a squash club when she decided to send her mum…

Woman dies in hospital blaze

Posted: 18 January 2015

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Public Place Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

An elderly woman died after a fire broke out at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Fire crews were immediately called to the scene after the fire broke out in the Royal Victoria building at around 02:28. The fire crew managed to move fourteen patients from the ward to another complex, but a 75-year-old woman died as a result. The Royal Victoria building is the part of the hospital that specialises in treating the elderly. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was immediately contacted through an automatic fire alarm call.…

Bin lorry crash victim released from hospital

Posted: 30 December 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the tragic accident that saw six killed on 22 December in Glasgow, one of the victims has been released from hospital. The 18-year-old was released today following the bin lorry crash that happened in George Square just before Christmas. The teenager had been receiving treatment in a Glasgow hospital. NHS Greater Glasgow Clyde said that three people are still receiving hospital treatment following the tragic accident. These include the 57-year-old driver of the bin lorry who is being treated at the Western Infirmary and is believed to be in…

Six-figures for family of worker killed in garage accident

Posted: 8 December 2014

Posted in: Employer Negligence, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

The family of a man who died while working at a garage has received a six-figure sum in compensation. Stevie Conway was working in a chemical tank at the Diamond Wheels Tech site in Dundee’s Baird Avenue when the accident happened in 2011. Mr Conway’s partner, Angela Garthley, launched legal action against the firm following his death. She claimed that the firm had been negligent and that the accident could easily have been prevented. The case was meant to go to the Court of Session in Edinburgh last Friday, (5…

Upset over c. diff deaths from hospital outbreak

Posted: 26 November 2014

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

MSP Jackie Baillie broke down in tears in parliament earlier this week with the belief that not enough has been done following the numerous deaths caused by a C. diff outbreak between 2007 and 2008. Ms Baillie has campaigned on behalf of those patients who lost their lives in the infection outbreak for several years, but says that there has still been no justice. The outbreak happened at Vale of Leven Hospital between 2007 and 2008. Of the 143 patients who became ill from the outbreak, 34 patients lost their lives. An…

Bollard that killed young boy was ‘unstable’

Posted: 20 November 2014

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A court has heard that the bollard responsible for the death of a young boy at the Royal Highland Show in 2008 was ‘unstable’. Three-year-old Ben Craggs died from severe head injuries after the concrete bollard toppled onto him at the showground six years ago. The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland denies all eight charges brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act, despite farmer Stephen Crawford saying that he thought two of the bollards to have been ‘unstable’. Failed to secure the bollards with clamping Mr…

Investigation launched following farmer death

Posted: 28 September 2014

Posted in: Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A Health and Safety Executive investigation has been launched after a farmer was killed in March. 66-year-old Jim Sharp had been operating a grain auger on Monday the 17th of March when the workplace accident happened. Mr Sharp was well known in the farming community, having been a former convenor of the NFU Scotland livestock board.. The president of the farming union, Nigel Miller, said that Mr Sharp has definitely left his mark on farming in the borders. He said: “As a man he had a sharp intellect and a level of…

Killed zookeeper’s family demand answers

Posted: 19 September 2014

Posted in: Faulty Work Equipment, Neck Injuries, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

The family of 24-year-old zookeeper Sarah McClay has demanded that their questions are answered following her death in May last year. The accident happened at the South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dulton-in-Furness, whereby Miss McClay was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger. It was heard during the inquest that the tiger had managed to get through an open door from its enclosure to a corridor in which Miss McClay had been working. Animals and their keepers are supposed to be kept apart by lockable self-closing doors. However, the male…

Helicopter crash victims remembered a year later

Posted: 25 August 2014

Posted in: Faulty Work Equipment, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

One year after a helicopter crash in Samburgh Airport killed four people, 100 people gathered in Shetland to pay their respects. Last August a Super Puma helicopter crashed while trying to land at Samburgh Airport in Shetland, killing Sarah Darnley, from Elgin, Gary McCrossan, from Inverness, Duncan Munro, from Bishop Auckland, and George Allison, from Winchester. 100 people gathered at the dedication service held at the Samburgh Airport memorial site on Saturday (23 August).  Wreaths were placed into the sea and a helicopter flypast also took place to mark the occasion.…

Worker death at abattoir caused by collapsed steel door

Posted: 20 August 2014

Posted in: Neck Injuries, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

An abattoir in Galashiels has been fined after being found guilty of two health and safety breaches which led to the death of one of its workers. The owners of Scottish Borders Abattoir Ltd were fined £100,000 after being found guilty by a jury at Jedburgh Sherriff Court. They originally denied the charges. 48-year-old David Barker from Selkirk died in an accident at the abattoir in January 2011. It was heard that he had been in a storage container, loosening the fixings of a steel partition door, when the door collapsed and…

Scientist admits blame for car crash fatality

Posted: 9 August 2014

Posted in: Car Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Leading scientist, Nathan Bailey, has admitted to causing a car crash that led to the death of an elderly man. The accident happened on the 28th of April last year on the M9 near Stirling. 34-year-old St Andrews University academic Nathan Bailey had been approaching junction 10 southbound on the M9 when he lost control of his car and crashed into a car being driven by 83-year-old Ronald Highcock. Sadly, Mr Highcock died in hospital a few weeks after the accident. Mr Bailey will be sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving…

No procedure to avoid accident that lead to farmers death

Posted: 23 June 2014

Posted in: Falls from Heights, Head and Brain Injuries, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the death of well-known farmer William Davidson (62), a sheriff has ruled that there was no procedure in place to prevent the workplace accident from happening. Mr Davidson died in January 2013 after he fell from a silage pile at his farm near Moffat. He had been pulling back plastic sheeting when the accident happened, causing him to fall from the 16ft silage pile. It was heard that Mr Davidson’s feet had become tangled in the sheeting. Mr Davidson was a well-respected man in the farming world, having been a director…

Motorsport safety review scheduled after 3 spectator deaths at car rally

Posted: 4 June 2014

Posted in: Car Accidents, Public Place Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the deaths of three spectators at a car rally in the Borders, the Justice Secretary has announced that a review of motorsport safety in Scotland is to be carried out. The individuals who lost their lives on Saturday were Iain John Provan (64), Elizabeth Allan (63), both from Barrhead, and John Leonard Stern (71) from Bearsden. Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary, said that lessons had to be learned from the accident so that it does not happen again. The review aims to include Police Scotland, The Motor Sports Association, Scottish…

Inquiry date for farmer death

Posted: 15 April 2014

Posted in: Falls from Heights, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A fatal accident inquiry has been scheduled following the death of a farmer in Dumfries and Galloway. The 62-year-old livestock farmer, Willie Davidson, had been working at Poldean Farm near Moffat when the accident happened in January of last year. He died as a result of falling from a 30ft (9m) shed. The Crown Office has announced that an inquiry is to be held into the circumstances of the workplace death of Mr Davidson. He had been a well-known figure in the farming community of southwest Scotland, having played an active role…

Several schools walls cordoned off following death

Posted: 4 April 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, School Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the death of 12-year-old schoolgirl Keane Wallis-Bennett, multiple walls have been cordoned off around Edinburgh believed to be structurally unstable. Keane was fatally injured after a freestanding wall collapsed and crushed her at Liberton High School on Tuesday. As a result of the shocking incident, structural checks have been carried out across Edinburgh, with many areas being cordoned off as a result. Similar unstable walls have been identified in the changing rooms and toilets of Leith Academy and Castlebrae High School, alongside eleven of the city’s primary schools. A spokesperson from…

Super Puma that killed sixteen in accident “fell like a torpedo”

Posted: 7 January 2014

Posted in: Employer Negligence, Faulty Work Equipment, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

An accident inquiry has been launched after sixteen men died in a helicopter crash in the North Sea. One eyewitness of the accident said that the Super Puma helicopter “fell like a torpedo” through the sky, with the rotor blades coming down several seconds after the fuselage of the helicopter. The crash occurred in 2009, but many family members are still awaiting answers. The Bond Super Puma came down just off Peterhead, and all fourteen passengers and two crewmembers lost their lives. Immediately after the accident, a rescue boat was launched to…

Lorry driver dies in storm after HGV is blown over

Posted: 6 December 2013

Posted in: Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Yesterday’s (5th December) strong winds saw the death of a lorry driver when his HGV was blown on top of two cars in Bathgate. The storm conditions led to the closure of many public transport links, including trains and buses, and people were warned not to drive. The accident occurred yesterday afternoon and the driver of the lorry was reported dead at the scene. It was recorded by the Met Office that Edinburgh saw winds of 59mph, Glasgow 63mhp, and a gust was recorded in Glencoe, Stirlingshire that reached 106mph. At the height…

Tributes paid 60 years after lifeboat tragedy

Posted: 27 October 2013

Posted in: Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

60 years ago a lifeboat disaster took the lives of 6 men just off the east coast of Scotland — a service is due to take place today to commemorate their deaths. The accident occurred only quarter of a mile from the harbour in Arbroath on the 27 October 1953. The men who died in the tragedy were David Bruce, Harry Swankie, William Swankie, Thomas Adams, David Cargill and Charles Cargill; the only survivor was Archibald Smith who managed to keep hold of a rope that had been thrown to the boat…

Firm admits failures following River Clyde deaths

Posted: 15 October 2013

Posted in: Employer Negligence, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

After a tug boat sank in the River Clyde in December 2007, killing three crew members, the owner of the vessel has admitted to health and safety failures. The ‘Flying Phantom’ had been trying to guide a cargo vessel to a dock when it sank directly opposite Clydebank College in West Dumbartonshire. The tug boat capsized when thick fog rolled in and the boat’s towing winch had not released quickly enough, causing the boat to capsize by the vessel it was pulling. Three crew members lost their lives in the accident:…

NHS nurse mistakes blood poisoning for heartburn

Posted: 9 October 2013

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

43-year-old John Willock died after an NHS 24 nurse misdiagnosed him, and instead told him to take the heartburn remedy Gaviscon. He was in fact suffering from blood poisoning. Mr Willock phoned the NHS telephone line multiple times after he fell ill on Christmas Eve 2009. The father of two from Erskine had been delivering presents to friends when he fell on ice, after which he became seriously ill. When Mr Willock fell on the ice he injured his knee, started to show “flu-ish” symptoms, was shivering and felt sick — the…

Nursing home investigated following four deaths

Posted: 19 September 2013

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

An Edinburgh nursing home, Pentland Hill, is being investigated after four of their residents died in the last few months. Police Scotland were first called to the home in July when a 67-year-old woman died suddenly, but soon discovered that the problem was far greater than first anticipated. Inspectors discovered that the home was battling some serious issues, including problems with their management sector and problems with the level of care being provided to their residents. The Bupa-run home is currently receiving multiple complaints from residents’ families and has been ordered…

Swinney to make statement regarding Super Puma crash

Posted: 4 September 2013

Posted in: Faulty Work Equipment, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

While the reason for last month’s Super Puma crash continues to be investigated, Scotland’s Finance Secretary John Swinney is due to make a statement at Hollyrood. Twelve days after the crash occurred — killing four people off Shetland — Mr. Swinney is expected to offer condolences to the families of those killed in the accident. As well as praise those who helped during the search and rescue operation. He said that ministers would co-operate with an industry inquiry, but that a decision is not ready to be taken concerning a wider…

Tribute paid to Shetland helicopter crash victims

Posted: 27 August 2013

Posted in: Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

The family of Gary McCrossan (59) — one of the four who died in the Shetland helicopter crash on Friday — has released a statement paying tribute to him.  Described by family members as being “a fun, loving guy who was full of life”. His family and the families of the other crash victims — George Allison (57), Sarah Darnley (45) and Duncan Munro (46) — all have unanswered questions regarding the cause of the crash. A senior executive of CHC Helicopter — the operator of the Super Puma —…

Tom Gadsby dies competing in horse trials

Posted: 21 August 2013

Posted in: Personal Injury, Sporting Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

26-year-old Tom Gadsby died on the weekend while competing at The Somerford Park international horse trials in Congleton. The young rider from New Zealand took a fall on the final day of the event during the cross-country, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Olympic riders and eventers from all around the world attended to compete in the event at the River Dane valley site, which began on Friday. However, the competition was abandoned following Tom Gadsby’s fall on Sunday. Had been in Europe to fulfil his dream The head of Equestrian Sports New…

Crown office wants firmer conviction for cyclist killer

Posted: 13 August 2013

Posted in: Bicycle Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Gary McCourt’s driving has caused the deaths of two cyclists, twenty years apart, which the Crown Office feels should be punished with a less ‘lenient’ sentence. Following a previous conviction for causing death through reckless driving, the Crown Office argues that he should be banned from driving for life and should receive a prison sentence. Gary McCourt was banned from driving for five years and was punished with 300 hours of community service after he was found guilty of killing 75-year-old Audrey Fyfe in Edinburgh (August 2011). However, after prosecutors described…

Legionnaires’ outbreak in Edinburgh cost NHS £750,000

Posted: 24 July 2013

Posted in: Industrial Deafness and Disease, Personal Injury, Public Place Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

After Edinburgh saw an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that killed four people last year, a report has unveiled the overall cost to the NHS — £750,000. Despite the fact that the root cause of the viral spread has not yet been pinpointed, the death of these four individuals prompted an NHS payout to cover further hospital admissions and advanced staffing. Further additions to the bill included medication, lab costs and public information. The outbreak was restricted mainly to the south-west of Edinburgh, with the report pinpointing a source around the…

Baby dies in hospital due to poor care

Posted: 19 July 2013

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

After a baby died in April 2012 due to a fractured skull, a coroner has said that this could have been prevented by better care. On the day of baby Frank Gamble’s birth, hospital staff tried to deliver him with forceps and called for a caesarean section after their third failed attempt at delivery. Soon after he was delivered, Frank died from a brain bleed at Colchester General Hospital in Essex. Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray strongly believes that this could have been prevented had they opted for a caesarean after their first failed…

Zoo Worker is Mauled to Death By Tiger in Freak Accident

Posted: 3 June 2013

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Neck Injuries, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Described by colleagues as a “very experienced” staff member, who was both “proficient and passionate” at her job, was mauled to death by a tiger on Friday. Sarah McClay (24) — originally from Glasgow — worked as a zookeeper at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria and was attacked by a Sumatran Tiger when in the staff area of the big cat enclosure. The reason for the tiger being in the staff enclosure is unknown, but detectives have put it down to either “human or mechanical” error. Police believe that…

Workers’ Memorial Day Increases Awareness With New Website

Posted: 25 April 2013

Posted in: Employer Negligence, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Sunday 28th April is Workers’ Memorial Day, the day on which we remember the thousands of lives lost or affected due to workplace accidents or ill health.    The day also coincides with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is marked by the International Labour Organization to help raise awareness of occupational accidents and industrial diseases around the world.    Workers’ Memorial Day is an internationally recognised event which gives people across the world the chance to remember those who were killed or seriously injured while…

Fatal Accident Inquiry into helicopter tragedy

Posted: 26 March 2013

Posted in: Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

The Crown Office has recently announced the results of its investigation into the deaths of all 16 men on board the Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL, which crashed into the North Sea on 1st April 2009. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as a result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The deaths of all 16 men who lost their lives in the tragedy are to be the subject of an inquiry in terms…

Care home provider fined after elderly resident died

Posted: 15 November 2012

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Neck Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A South Lanarkshire care home provider has been fined after an elderly resident, Mrs Elizabeth Stevenson, died after breaking her neck in a fall. The company admitted to failing to review and update a risk assessment for Mrs Stevenson and failing to provide adequate care instruction and supervision to their employees engaged in moving and handling residents of the care home in Uddingston. In October 2008, a carer in the home was in the process of assisting Mrs Stevenson in undressing in order to transfer her from her bed to…

Latest figures on Scottish road traffic accident casualties

Posted: 25 October 2012

Posted in: Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Transport Scotland has recently published statistics on road traffic accident casualties in Scotland for 2011. The figures show that the number of fatalities on Scotland’s roads is down 11% on last year and 47% on 2001 data, and those seriously injured are down 5% on last year, and 45% on 2001. The figures also show that there were: 9,974 reported injury accidents in 2011 — 3% fewer than in 2010 and the lowest number since accident records began in 1966;176 fatal accidents — 7% fewer than in 2010 (note that…

Calls for Changes to British Summer Time To Decrease Road Traffic Accidents

Posted: 25 October 2012

Posted in: Bicycle Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has recently called for changes in the way British Summer Time operates, to give more daylight hours in the evening, when road traffic accidents are more likely to happen. The IAM would like to see the British time zone brought forward by an hour in both winter and summer. Figures from the Department for Transport show that this could prevent about 80 deaths and at least 200 serious injuries on our roads each year. Road casualty rates increase with the arrival of darker evenings.…