In Britain people appear to be concerned about the ever increasing number of cars on our roads and judging by the figures, this is not without justification. There has not been a major study into vehicle numbers throughout the world since 1996. The study that was carried out by the World Health Organization, it did not look encouraging for the UK, and it would not be unreasonable to assume that things have got worse since then. The figures were all measured as car per 1000 of population. Of the countries surveyed The United States had the most at 787, compared with our 408 in Britain. However a quick glance at the map and the size of the respective countries, gives you an idea of just how congested our roads have become. The size of the country concerned is of course a crucial factor. Both France and Spain have more vehicles than us, 524 and 488 respectively but again they are countries that are considerably larger than the UK. Conditions in the UK such as Asthma in children have increased many fold over the years and many fear this is related to our increasing traffic pollution.



The road death figures are worldwide. When compared with other countries the UK's record is very good. As Contract Hire Company our records show relatively few cars seriously damaged in accidents.

It seems that what motorists worry most about, is their children's safety, when driving, rather than their own. Whilst there are some increased risks for younger drivers, particularly young men, there concerns appear disproportionate. On the whole most seem to worry about other forms of accidents, that in practice are far less likely to happen; driving to the airport to go on holiday has its risks, whilst the actual flight has virtually no risks and yet many will think nothing of the drive to the airport but are terrified of getting on a plane.

It is claimed that to be statistically certain of dying in an air accident you would need to fly non stop, day and night, for twenty years. Unfortunately the same can't be said of driving on the road but nevertheless most people feel much safer behind the wheel.

Traffic congestion is something that people do feel is particularly bad in Britain although it is pretty much a problem throughout most of the world and some countries suffer worse than the UK; Cities in the United States are very congested; according to The Texas Transportation Institute, drivers in Los Angeles spend an average of 82 hours a year sitting in traffic jams.

A large number of the increasing number of cars that are on the roads are owned by those who work, so it follows that are large proportion will be driven during peak hours on the road. It was estimated that Britain's cars would increase in number by 40% over the 35 year period from 1990 to 2025. In a country the size of the UK it is difficult to see where they will all go.

Incorrect road signs are a source of considerable frustration; every year there is a report produced showing the number of hours poor road signs cost industry in wasted time but no one seems to do anything about it. Not here or it would seem in other countries either, where the problem is just as bad and sometimes worse. The main problem seems to be that road signs start and then just stop, leaving motorists to guess where to go next. Although theoretically there is a 50/50 chance of being correct when you guess, it doesn't seem to work out that way.

In 2006 Welsh cyclists were left confused a worried when a temporary road sign placed by The Vale of Glamorgan highway's department between Penarth and Cardiff read in English, cyclists dismount, but in Welsh, bladder disease has returned.

After years of under funding our roads are in very poor shape compared with many European countries, road closures and uncoordinated road repairs are a major cause of traffic delays. Although we are not alone, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $1.6 billion is required just to bring America's roads up to a reasonable standard. A massive sum of money indeed, although still rather less the US currently spends on occupation of Iraq each year.

Road rage is an area that the UK appears to lead the world. A Gallup poll revealed that 80.4% of the UK's drivers said they had been victim to it. Although simply gesticulating was also classed as road rage, in one in seven cases drivers said they were either physically or verbally abused. It is of course difficult to know to what extent, the driving and attitude of the victim immediately prior to the incident, was a factor. Nearly 60% of the aggressors were driving "standard cars"

Certainly in many countries violent road rage is almost non-existent, with road rage being no more that gesticulating and occasionally shouting abuse. The level of violence seen in the UK does seem to be quite unique. There was a case reported in the press a few years ago of a driver who one Sunday, having objected to another motorist's driving habits decided to stop him and drag him out of the car. It turned out that his victim was his new boss recently arrived from Switzerland, due to start his first day at work the following day. Not only was the driver prosecuted, he lost his job, his company car, which he was driving at the time, and all his other company benefits. The Gallup poll said only 14% of road rage aggressors regretted their actions; this may have been one of those cases.

British motorists are heavily taxed and pay more for their cars than in many other countries, although we do have extremely low rates of contract hire and leasing; up to half the cost, in the case of some countries, for the equivalent car. In spite of the road rage, the taxes, the poor state of the roads and the congestion, we are better off than most countries because our roads are very safe.

Sometimes things can happen that make them a little less safe; Recently 81 year old Martha Harwood drove in the wrong direction down the outside lane of the M65, oncoming cars swerving to avoid her crashed into each other. When police stopped her after 15 miles, she told them that she realized that she was going the wrong way but thought it best to continue, as there was nowhere to turn around.