Road safety
Road Safety In Nottinghamshire
Every year, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) responds to hundreds of road traffic collisions (RTCs), many of which result in serious injury or loss of life. Since 2020, the Service has attended 3,467 road traffic collisions, responding to incidents ranging from making vehicles safe to carrying out complex rescues involving people who are trapped.
In 2025, NFRS attended its highest number of RTCs on record, with around 100 more incidents than in previous years.
The Fatal Four: The Biggest Causes of Serious & Fatal Collisions
Most serious and fatal road traffic collisions are linked to four key behaviours, known as the Fatal Four. These factors are consistently identified by emergency responders attending incidents locally and nationally.
By understanding the Fatal Four—and making safer choices—drivers can significantly reduce the risk of causing or being involved in a serious collision.
Drink & Drugs
Driving under the influence of drink or drugs severely affects judgement, reaction times and decision making. Even one alcoholic drink can impair your ability to drive safely.
Drugs – including prescription and illegal substances – can cause drowsiness, poor concentration and delayed reactions. Collisions involving drink and/or drugs account for a disproportionate number of fatal and serious injuries, despite making up a smaller proportion of overall road traffic collisions, according to national data from the Department for Transport, which shows that drink and drug related crashes consistently represent a significantly higher share of road deaths than of total reported collisions.
Speed
Speed is one of the most significant factors in serious and fatal road traffic collisions. Department for Transport analysis shows that more than half of fatal collisions involve a speed related factor, including driving too fast for the road layout, traffic levels or weather conditions—not just exceeding the speed limit.
Higher speeds reduce the time drivers have to react and greatly increase the severity of injuries when a collision occurs. Research also shows that a pedestrian is around four times more likely to be killed if hit at 40mph than at 30mph, highlighting why speed limits are not targets, but vital safety measures designed to protect all road users.
Seatbelts
Evidence shows that around one quarter of car occupants who lose their lives in collisions were not wearing a seatbelt, even though wearing one can halve the risk of death in a crash.
Seatbelts work by keeping occupants securely restrained, spreading crash forces across the body and preventing ejection from the vehicle—one of the strongest predictors of fatal injury. Emergency responders regularly attend incidents where injuries would likely have been far less serious if seatbelts had been worn.
Distraction
Driver distraction continues to be a major cause of road traffic collisions. Research consistently shows that using a mobile phone while driving makes a driver around four times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal crash, due to reduced hazard perception and slower reaction times. This risk exists even with hands free devices.
Distraction goes beyond mobile phones: eating, drinking, adjusting sat navs or interacting with in car technology all divert attention away from the road. It only takes a moment of inattention for a developing hazard to turn into a collision.
Simple Steps Can Save Lives
Alongside avoiding the Fatal Four, there are simple actions every road user can take to reduce risk:
- Keep at least a two second gap between you and the vehicle in front
- Drive according to weather and road conditions, including rain, fog or ice
- Stay alert, patient and aware of other road users
By taking these steps and driving responsibly every time you get behind the wheel, you can significantly reduce your chances of causing — or being involved in — a road traffic collision.
Motorbike safety
Whether you ride your motorcycle every day or you’re getting ready to take to the road as the weather improves, maintenance of your bike is important to help you ride safely and legally.
Remembering the P.O.W.D.E.R.S check can help keep you safe.
- Petrol - Check you have enough fuel for your journey
- Oil - The correct oil level will prevent your engine seizing up
- Water - Keep this topped up to stop overheating
- Damage - Check over for any signs of damage
- Electrics - Check all lights including brakes and indicators are all working
- Rubber - Check your tyres once a week
Biker Down
Biker Down Courses are run free of charge to groups or individuals who are bikers. The three hours course covers the science of being seen, first aid including helmet removal techniques, and effective scene management.
To find out more including the dates for upcoming courses, please visit Biker Down Nottinghamshire on Facebook.
To organise a course for your group please email bikerdown@notts-fire.gov.uk