Congestion charge reduces london smashes by 20%

30/06/2005

The congestion charge is significantly reducing car accidents in the heart of London states a report released today. With the price of the scheme rising from £5 to £8 on Monday 4 July, in a bid to further ease congestion, Churchill Insurance believes that accidents will continue to fall.

The study* of 5,000 of Churchill’s central London accidents shows that the number of car crashes in the Capital has reduced by 20%.

Churchill’s Head of Motor Insurance, Darren McCauley said, “Clearly the congestion charge has been a major factor in the reduction of car accidents in our Capital. Congested areas tend to be accident hotspots as there is a higher risk of colliding with other vehicles. Severe traffic also causes drivers a high level of stress leading to erratic driving and possibly accidents.

“We expect that the raise in the charge will lead to a further reduction in congestion which should mean that accidents will continue to fall in central London.”

Although the number of motoring accidents has reduced in the charging zone, the insurer has reported a rise in the costs of a car crash in the city centre. The average cost of claims in the congestion charging area has risen by approximately 20%.

McCauley said, “The one downside to lower congestion is that vehicles travel faster. This means that vehicle damage is more significant, thus raising the costs of repair.”

* Churchill’s study compares frequency of car accidents over the three month period of November 16 2002 to February 16 2003 (before charge) against November 16 2003 – 16 February 2004.