Road Safety Statistics for Cambridge City 2009-2011

WARNING: Before you start reading, this is a long post that deserves to be read in detail. If you just have a quick look you will likely miss a lot of the context.

Quick links to the tables below:

Casualty numbers.
Pedestrian and cyclist casualties, with other vehicles involved.
Percentage of casualties by light conditions.
Light conditions with street lighting.
Pedestrian and cyclist casualties by age.
Where were pedestrians when injured?
Where were pedestrians when injured? Vehicles and Severity.
Where were cyclists when injured ?
Where were cyclists when injured ? (A/B/C roads)
Where were cyclists when injured ? Vehicles and Severity.
Which roads are dangerous for cyclist and pedestrians ?
Which roads are dangerous for cyclist and pedestrians ? Junction detail.
Which junction features are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians ?


Whenever I hear a debate about cyclists I hear a lot of anecdotal evidence, some of it plausible and some that is complete nonsense. I like to cut through that and explore objective information that has less bias. The best we have are the STATS19 reports filled in by the Police after collisions they attend.

STATS19 data is used in many sources, here are a few:

CambridgeshireCC Mapped Accident Data. [check Transport & Streets / Accidents ]
CycleStreets Collision Map and Reporting
DfT Road Accidents and Safety Statistics
DfT Road Collisions Map
Levenes Solicitors cycle accident map.
Raw Data for STATS19

Cambridge itself has a very different population to most of the UK, with 25% of commutes by bicycle and a large student population. Any campaign to improve safety needs to back this up with good data specific for this area.

All of the statistical results in this page are based upon STATS19 data 2009-2011 for Cambridge City. This excludes other Cambridgeshire districts such as South Cambs.  I chose a three year range as it is used by the council to score accident sites.

What is STATS19 ?

In short, it is the document filled in by the Police for accidents.  There is a lot of information and includes:

• Location of accident: coordinates: road name(s), junction detail, footway etc.
• Casualty information: how many, age range, sex, pedestrian or their vehicle(s).
• Vehicles involved

The guide for filling in the STATS19 form is called STATS20.

Important information about STATS19:

• Not all accidents make it into STATS19. It is only where the Police atttended or were informed after.
• The data does not say who was at fault, only what casualties and vehicles were involved.
• Contributary factors are not publicly available for each accident. The DfT have provided me with a document summarising contributary factors in Cambridge City 2009-2011. I have made this available via google docs until it can be hosted elsewhere.

Accident/Casualty Severity

• Fatal: Death within 30 days of the accident.
• Serious: An injury for which a person is detained in hospital as an “in-patient”, or any of the following injuries  whether or not they are detained in hospital: fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushings, burns (excluding friction burns), severe cuts, severe general shock requiring medical treatment and injuries causing death 30 or more days after the accident. An injured casualty is recorded as seriously or slightly injured by the police on the basis of information available within a short time of the accident. This generally will not reflect the results of a medical examination, but may be influenced according to whether the casualty is hospitalised or not. Hospitalisation procedures will vary regionally". 
• Slight: "An injury of a minor character such as a sprain (including neck whiplash injury), bruise or cut which are not judged to be severe, or slight shock requiring roadside attention. This definition includes injuries not requiring medical treatment".

Casualty numbers

The tables in this page focus on accidents where pedestrians and cyclists are involved. Not all accidents are listed, such as motorcycles. Car occupant casualties are shown for comparison.

casualty	casualty severity	count
Car occupant	Fatal	2
Car occupant	Serious	19
Car occupant	Slight	348
Cyclist	Fatal	1
Cyclist	Serious	79
Cyclist	Slight	614
Pedestrian	Fatal	1
Pedestrian	Serious	32
Pedestrian	Slight	122

2011 Census data shows 31.9% of people who live in Cambridge commute by bicycle. Travel for Work which asks people who work in Cambridge, and therefore include residents living outside the city estimate 22-26% of commutes are by bicycle.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Casualties, with other vehicles involved. (no blame attributed)

casualty	casualty severity	vehicle type	count
Cyclist	Fatal	Taxi/Private hire car	1
Cyclist	Serious	Car	52
Cyclist	Serious	<null>	9
Cyclist	Serious	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	6
Cyclist	Serious	Taxi/Private hire car	3
Cyclist	Serious	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	3
Cyclist	Serious	Pedal cycle	2
Cyclist	Serious	Goods 7.5 tonnes mgw and over	2
Cyclist	Serious	Motorcycle over 500cc	2
Cyclist	Serious	Motorcycle 125cc and under	1
Cyclist	Slight	Car	438
Cyclist	Slight	<null>	62
Cyclist	Slight	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	39
Cyclist	Slight	Taxi/Private hire car	30
Cyclist	Slight	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	28
Cyclist	Slight	Pedal cycle	11
Cyclist	Slight	Goods over 3.5t. and under 7.5t	6
Cyclist	Slight	Goods 7.5 tonnes mgw and over	4
Cyclist	Slight	Other vehicle	3
Cyclist	Slight	Motorcycle over 500cc	2
Cyclist	Slight	Minibus (8 - 16 passenger seats)	1
Cyclist	Slight	Motorcycle 125cc and under	1
Pedestrian	Fatal	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	1
Pedestrian	Serious	Car	25
Pedestrian	Serious	Pedal cycle	3
Pedestrian	Serious	Motorcycle 50cc and under	1
Pedestrian	Serious	Taxi/Private hire car	1
Pedestrian	Serious	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	1
Pedestrian	Serious	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	1
Pedestrian	Serious	<null>	1
Pedestrian	Serious	Goods 7.5 tonnes mgw and over	1
Pedestrian	Slight	Car	62
Pedestrian	Slight	Pedal cycle	24
Pedestrian	Slight	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	13
Pedestrian	Slight	<null>	8
Pedestrian	Slight	Taxi/Private hire car	7
Pedestrian	Slight	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	6
Pedestrian	Slight	Goods over 3.5t. and under 7.5t	2
Pedestrian	Slight	Motorcycle 50cc and under	1
Pedestrian	Slight	Motorcycle over 125cc and up to 500cc	1
Pedestrian	Slight	Motorcycle over 500cc	1

The table above does not attribute fault but using other data sources we can infer some likelihood.


With adult cyclists, police found the driver solely responsible in about 60%-75% of all cases, and riders solely at fault 17%-25% of the time. (cites TRL research of data 2005-09)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/15/cycling-bike-accidents-study


DfT data tells us the largest contributary factor in collisions is 'failing to look properly'. For Cambridge City this amounts to 335 of 695 or 48% of accidents involving all vehicle types.

Another DfT document looked at two vehicle accidents and the blame is heavily skewed towards cars and LGVs. Source: 
RAS50014 Two vehicle accidents in which a driver or rider had "failed to look properly" as a contributory factor: GB 2011

Fault in each combination:

• cycle 18% - 49% lgv
• cycle 21% - 45% car
• cycle 18% - 30% hgv
• cycle 32% - 24% bus/coach
• cycle 38% - 22% motorcycle

Percentage of casualties by light conditions:

casualty	light	count	percent
Car occupant	Dark	132	36%
Car occupant	Daylight	237	64%
Cyclist	Dark	173	25%
Cyclist	Daylight	521	75%
Pedestrian	Dark	46	30%
Pedestrian	Daylight	109	70%

It is surprising that cycling appears to be safer in the dark relative to walking or driving. This could be that people cycle less in the dark, or perhaps those without lights are taking greater care because of their vulnerability ?

I have a theory that unlit cyclists keep off the roads at night and cycle on pavements where they are away from the danger of motor vehicles.

The DfT Contributory Factors for Cambridge City 2009-2011, show:

• Not displaying lights at night or in poor visibility. 8 of 695 accidents (all vehicle types).
• Cyclist wearing dark clothing at night. 14 of 695. [this is not an offence]

The low percentages for cause agree with previous national TRL research summarised by the Guardian.

Light conditions with street lighting: 

casualty	lighting	count
Car occupant	Darkness - lighting unknown	9
Car occupant	Darkness - lights lit	112
Car occupant	Darkness - lights unlit	4
Car occupant	Darkness - no lighting	7
Car occupant	Daylight	237
Cyclist	Darkness - lighting unknown	19
Cyclist	Darkness - lights lit	146
Cyclist	Darkness - lights unlit	6
Cyclist	Darkness - no lighting	2
Cyclist	Daylight	521
Pedestrian	Darkness - lighting unknown	4
Pedestrian	Darkness - lights lit	39
Pedestrian	Darkness - lights unlit	1
Pedestrian	Darkness - no lighting	2
Pedestrian	Daylight	109

Pedestrian and Cyclist Casualties by age.

Note: age brackets are different sizes. I have grouped together children under 15. The original data has 5yr brackets to 25, then 10yr brackets to 75.

casualty	age band	count
Cyclist	0-15	54
Cyclist	16-20	106
Cyclist	21-25	130
Cyclist	26 - 35	161
Cyclist	36 - 45	91
Cyclist	46 - 55	72
Cyclist	56 - 65	43
Cyclist	66 - 75	12
Cyclist	Over 75	7
Cyclist	<null>	18
Pedestrian	0-15	26
Pedestrian	16-20	21
Pedestrian	21-25	24
Pedestrian	26 - 35	27
Pedestrian	36 - 45	19
Pedestrian	46 - 55	7
Pedestrian	56 - 65	10
Pedestrian	66 - 75	7
Pedestrian	Over 75	12
Pedestrian	<null>	2

<null> means missing data.

The general casualty numbers in the first table already showed that cyclists are involved in more accidents. In this table we can see how young people are more affected. It is slightly surprising that the peak for both pedestrians and cyclists is 26-35, past what I consider a typical undergraduate and college age.

We can also see that casualty numbers for those 65+ are low in comparison.

The Guardian article also says for child riders, fault lay with them more than three-quarters of the time. This shows the importance of cycle training and providing cycle routes away from motor vehicles where they live and go to school.


Where were pedestrians when injured?

pedestrian location	count
Crossing elsewhere within 50m. of pedestrian crossing	12
Crossing in zig-zag approach lines	2
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	30
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	53
In carriageway, not crossing	18
In centre of carriageway - not on refuge, island or central reservation	7
On footway or verge	28
On refuge, central island or central reservation	1
Unknown or other	9

Crossing the road is an obvious issue, but it is surprising that pedestrian crossings and footway/verge is an issue.

Where were pedestrians when injured? Vehicles and Severity.

Ordered by location, severity, count.

pedestrian location	vehicle type	casualty severity	count
Crossing elsewhere within 50m. of pedestrian crossing	Car	Serious	5
Crossing elsewhere within 50m. of pedestrian crossing	Car	Slight	4
Crossing elsewhere within 50m. of pedestrian crossing	<null>	Slight	1
Crossing elsewhere within 50m. of pedestrian crossing	Taxi/Private hire car	Slight	1
Crossing elsewhere within 50m. of pedestrian crossing	Pedal cycle	Slight	1
Crossing in zig-zag approach lines	Car	Serious	1
Crossing in zig-zag approach lines	<null>	Slight	1
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Car	Serious	4
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Pedal cycle	Serious	1
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	<null>	Serious	1
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	Serious	1
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Car	Slight	15
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Pedal cycle	Slight	5
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Motorcycle over 500cc	Slight	1
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	<null>	Slight	1
Crossing on pedestrian crossing facility	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Slight	1
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Fatal	1
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Car	Serious	6
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Pedal cycle	Serious	2
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Serious	1
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Motorcycle 50cc and under	Serious	1
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Goods 7.5 tonnes mgw and over	Serious	1
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Car	Slight	21
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Pedal cycle	Slight	9
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	<null>	Slight	3
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Taxi/Private hire car	Slight	3
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	Slight	2
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Slight	2
In carriageway, crossing elsewhere	Motorcycle over 125cc and up to 500cc	Slight	1
In carriageway, not crossing	Taxi/Private hire car	Serious	1
In carriageway, not crossing	Car	Serious	1
In carriageway, not crossing	Car	Slight	10
In carriageway, not crossing	Pedal cycle	Slight	3
In carriageway, not crossing	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	Slight	1
In carriageway, not crossing	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Slight	1
In carriageway, not crossing	Taxi/Private hire car	Slight	1
In centre of carriageway - not on refuge, island or central reservation	Car	Serious	3
In centre of carriageway - not on refuge, island or central reservation	Car	Slight	2
In centre of carriageway - not on refuge, island or central reservation	<null>	Slight	1
In centre of carriageway - not on refuge, island or central reservation	Taxi/Private hire car	Slight	1
On footway or verge	Car	Serious	4
On footway or verge	Pedal cycle	Slight	6
On footway or verge	Car	Slight	6
On footway or verge	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Slight	6
On footway or verge	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	Slight	3
On footway or verge	Motorcycle 50cc and under	Slight	1
On footway or verge	Taxi/Private hire car	Slight	1
On footway or verge	Goods over 3.5t. and under 7.5t	Slight	1
On refuge, central island or central reservation	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Slight	1
Unknown or other	Car	Serious	1
Unknown or other	Car	Slight	4
Unknown or other	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	Slight	2
Unknown or other	Goods over 3.5t. and under 7.5t	Slight	1
Unknown or other	<null>	Slight	1

Typical complaints in Cambridge are:

1) Cyclists ignore traffic lights causing danger to pedestrians.
It appears that motor vehicles are implicated in 3.5 times the number of casualties:
'Crossing on a pedestrian crossing facility': 22 motor vehicle. 6 pedal cycles.
There are of course more motor vehicles on the road which results in an almost equal chance of an individual cyclist or motorist injuring a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing.

2) Cyclists of pavements cause problems for pedestrians.
'On footway or verge': 22 motor vehicles, 6 pedal cycles. The 4 serious were by cars, the rest were slight.

Where were cyclists injured ?

vehicle location restricted lane	casualty severity	count
Bus lane	Slight	1
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Serious	7
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	63
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Serious	5
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	19
Footway (pavement)	Serious	3
Footway (pavement)	Slight	28
On lay-by or hard shoulder	Slight	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Fatal	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	65
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	513

Raw numbers suggest cycle lanes are much safer than roads without. It is difficult to measure their effectiveness without knowing how many journeys were made in cycle lanes, or their length.


Where were cyclists injured ? (A/B/C roads)

This table limits the road classes to A, B, and C roads.  They will be the busy routes into the city and are far more likely to have cycle and bus lanes.

vehicle_location_restricted_lane	casualty_severity	count
Bus lane	Slight	1
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Serious	7
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	57
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Serious	5
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	17
Footway (pavement)	Serious	1
Footway (pavement)	Slight	21
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Fatal	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	48
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	397

Where were cyclists injured ? Vehicles and Severity.

vehicle location restricted lane	casualty severity	vehicle type	count
Bus lane	Slight	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	1
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Serious	Car	4
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Serious	<null>	2
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Serious	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	1
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	Car	43
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	<null>	7
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	7
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	3
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	Goods over 3.5t. and under 7.5t	1
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	Pedal cycle	1
Cycle lane (on main carriageway)	Slight	Taxi/Private hire car	1
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Serious	Car	4
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Serious	<null>	1
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	<null>	8
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	Car	8
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	Other vehicle	1
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	Pedal cycle	1
Cycleway or shared use footway (not part of main carriageway)	Slight	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	1
Footway (pavement)	Serious	Car	2
Footway (pavement)	Serious	Taxi/Private hire car	1
Footway (pavement)	Slight	Car	21
Footway (pavement)	Slight	Taxi/Private hire car	3
Footway (pavement)	Slight	<null>	2
Footway (pavement)	Slight	Pedal cycle	1
Footway (pavement)	Slight	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	1
On lay-by or hard shoulder	Slight	Car	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Fatal	Taxi/Private hire car	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Car	42
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	<null>	6
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	5
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	3
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Motorcycle over 500cc	2
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Goods 7.5 tonnes mgw and over	2
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Taxi/Private hire car	2
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Pedal cycle	2
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Serious	Motorcycle 125cc and under	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Car	365
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	<null>	45
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Van / Goods 3.5 tonnes mgw or under	34
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Taxi/Private hire car	26
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Bus or coach (17 or more pass seats)	20
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Pedal cycle	8
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Goods over 3.5t. and under 7.5t	5
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Goods 7.5 tonnes mgw and over	4
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Other vehicle	2
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Motorcycle over 500cc	2
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Minibus (8 - 16 passenger seats)	1
On main c'way - not in restricted lane	Slight	Motorcycle 125cc and under	1

Which roads are dangerous for cyclist and pedestrians ?

Note: The council have an more intelligent algorithm for calculating dangerous stretches of roads and accident cluster sites, based on road length and considers severities.

road class	road num/name	count
U	0	498
A	A1304 Outer Ring	160
A	A1307 Hunt/Hills/Bab	99
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	79
C	Mill Road	68
C	Cherry Hinton Road	49
A	A1309 Milton Road	47
A	A1303 Madingley Road	42
C	Trumpington Street	41
C	Newmarket Road	28
C	Victoria Avenue	23
C	Castle Street	20
B	B1049 Histon Road	19
C	Green End & Scotland Road	19
C	Coldhams Lane	18
C	High Street, Cambridge	17
C	Regent Street	16
C	Arbury Road	12
C	0	6
C	Kings Hedges Road	6
C	Tennis Court Road ?	6
C	Gilbert Road	5
C	Brooklands Ave	4
A	10	2
A	1301	2
B	1047	2
C	Granchester Road	2
C	Lime Kiln Road	2
C	Girton Road	1
C	High Street, Granchester	1
C	Maris Lane, Trumpington	1
Motorway	11	1

Which roads are dangerous for cyclist and pedestrians ? Junction detail.

Of our major routes, roundabouts on the A1304 Ring Road score badly.

road class	road num/name	junction detail	count
U	0	Not at junction or within 20 metres	88
U	0	T or staggered junction	70
A	A1304 Outer Ring	Roundabout	62
A	A1307 Hunt/Hills/Bab	T or staggered junction	43
A	A1304 Outer Ring	T or staggered junction	34
A	A1304 Outer Ring	Not at junction or within 20 metres	26
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	T or staggered junction	26
C	Mill Road	T or staggered junction	22
A	A1307 Hunt/Hills/Bab	Not at junction or within 20 metres	20
U	0	Private drive or entrance	20
C	Trumpington Street	T or staggered junction	19
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	Crossroads	18
C	Mill Road	Crossroads	18
C	Mill Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	16
A	A1303 Madingley Road	T or staggered junction	15
A	A1304 Outer Ring	Private drive or entrance	15
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	Not at junction or within 20 metres	13
C	Newmarket Road	Roundabout	13
A	A1309 Milton Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	12
A	A1309 Milton Road	T or staggered junction	12
C	Cherry Hinton Road	T or staggered junction	12
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	Roundabout	10
C	Cherry Hinton Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	10
A	A1307 Hunt/Hills/Bab	Crossroads	9
B	B1049 Histon Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	9
A	A1307 Hunt/Hills/Bab	Private drive or entrance	8
A	A1309 Milton Road	Private drive or entrance	8
C	Castle Street	Not at junction or within 20 metres	8
C	Trumpington Street	Not at junction or within 20 metres	8
C	Green End & Scotland Road	T or staggered junction	7
C	Newmarket Road	T or staggered junction	7
C	Regent Street	Not at junction or within 20 metres	7
A	A1304 Outer Ring	Crossroads	6
B	B1049 Histon Road	T or staggered junction	6
C	Coldhams Lane	T or staggered junction	6
U	0	Crossroads	6
U	0	Mini-roundabout	6
A	A1304 Outer Ring	Mini-roundabout	5
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	Mini-roundabout	5
C	Arbury Road	Private drive or entrance	5
C	Cherry Hinton Road	Crossroads	5
C	Green End & Scotland Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	5
C	High Street, Cambridge	Not at junction or within 20 metres	5
C	Kings Hedges Road	T or staggered junction	5
C	Victoria Avenue	Not at junction or within 20 metres	5
A	A1303 Madingley Road	Crossroads	4
A	A1309 Milton Road	Crossroads	4
C	Arbury Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	4
C	Castle Street	T or staggered junction	4
C	Cherry Hinton Road	Private drive or entrance	4
C	Coldhams Lane	Not at junction or within 20 metres	4
C	High Street, Cambridge	Mini-roundabout	4
C	Newmarket Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	4
C	Regent Street	T or staggered junction	4
C	Victoria Avenue	T or staggered junction	4
U	0	Roundabout	4
U	0	Other junction	3
A	10	Roundabout	2
A	1301	Private drive or entrance	2
A	A1303 Madingley Road	Private drive or entrance	2
A	A1303 Madingley Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	2
B	1047	T or staggered junction	2
C	Arbury Road	T or staggered junction	2
C	Brooklands Ave	Private drive or entrance	2
C	Castle Street	Private drive or entrance	2
C	Gilbert Road	Crossroads	2
C	Green End & Scotland Road	Mini-roundabout	2
C	High Street, Cambridge	T or staggered junction	2
C	Tennis Court Road ?	Crossroads	2
A	A1303 Madingley Road	Other junction	1
A	A1304 Outer Ring	Other junction	1
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	Other junction	1
A	A603 Barton/FenC/Lensf/Gonv/East	More than 4 arms (not roundabout)	1
B	B1049 Histon Road	Private drive or entrance	1
B	B1049 Histon Road	Crossroads	1
C	Arbury Road	Roundabout	1
C	Castle Street	Roundabout	1
C	Cherry Hinton Road	Other junction	1
C	Coldhams Lane	Roundabout	1
C	Gilbert Road	T or staggered junction	1
C	Green End & Scotland Road	Roundabout	1
C	Green End & Scotland Road	Private drive or entrance	1
C	Green End & Scotland Road	Other junction	1
C	High Street, Cambridge	Private drive or entrance	1
C	High Street, Granchester	T or staggered junction	1
C	Kings Hedges Road	Not at junction or within 20 metres	1
C	Mill Road	Private drive or entrance	1
C	Newmarket Road	Crossroads	1
C	Tennis Court Road ?	Private drive or entrance	1
C	Tennis Court Road ?	T or staggered junction	1
C	Trumpington Street	Crossroads	1
C	Trumpington Street	Other junction	1
C	Trumpington Street	Private drive or entrance	1

Which junction features are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians ?

junction detail	count
T or staggered junction	305
Not at junction or within 20 metres	247
Roundabout	95
Crossroads	77
Private drive or entrance	74
Mini-roundabout	22
Other junction	9
More than 4 arms (not roundabout)	1

It is not clear in the data which vehicle would be at the T, and which would be at a side road. The top result could be as a result of SMIDSY's (vehicle pulls out into path of cyclists they didn't spot).

The second result, not at a junction, is likely to be the result of overtaking cyclists. Close passing is a well cited problem amongst cyclists.

Conclusions

The statistics are quite clear. If you want to improve safety for cyclists, you should segregate from motor vehicles, or create safer junctions. If segregation is not possible, dealing with the following contributory factors would target 94% of all accidents for all road users:

• Failed to look properly: 335 / 48%
• Failed to judge other person’s path or speed: 126 / 18%
• Poor turn or manoeuvre: 107 / 15%
• Careless, reckless or in a hurry: 86 / 12%

Finding a way to crackdown on those rushing out of junctions without care and also close passing, again by people rushing would be the best way to reduce cycling casualties.

These are offences that require an officer to use their judgement before issuing a fixed penalty notice.