Accidents caused by road defects

Summary

The request sought statistics on road traffic collisions in the Isle of Man between 2018 and 2020, specifically those caused by poor road conditions. The Constabulary disclosed total collision figures for the period but noted that only one incident was identified where road surface defects were a contributory factor.

Key Facts

• Total road traffic collisions were 818 in 2018, 738 in 2019, and 516 in 2020 (up to Dec 13).
• Only one collision in the reviewed period was attributed to poor road conditions such as potholes or uneven surfaces.
• The single identified incident occurred in 2018 and involved a loss of traction on a manhole cover.
• Data limitations exist as contributory factors are not always recorded for damage-only collisions.
• Keyword searches for 'pot', 'hole', 'road surface', and 'uneven' were conducted on investigation summaries.

Data Disclosed

• 818
• 738
• 516
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 13/12/2020
• 1
• 1594289

Original Request

Hello, I am looking to find out more information on the cause of Road traffic collisions around the isle of man. The information I requests is as follows; 1. How many road traffic collision their have been between 2018-2020(Current) 2. Of those road traffic collisions between those years how many have been due to poor road conditions e.g. Potholes, Uneven road, Poor road surface. Many thanks

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG

Our ref: 1594289 15 December 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 8 December 2020 and which states:

"Hello, I am looking to find out more information on the cause of Road traffic collisions around the Isle of Man. The information I requests is as follows; 1. How many road traffic collision their have been between 2018-2020(Current) 2. Of those road traffic collisions between those years how many have been due to poor road conditions e.g. Potholes, Uneven road, Poor road surface."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. Contributory causation factors are not always possible to determine for reported Road Traffic Collisions. For injury collisions additional detail is recorded, which includes contributory factors identified. For damage only collisions, however, only a primary cause was recorded up to June 2019, and since then causes have not been not separately detailed, but only included within investigation summary. Contributory factors were researched for Injury collision data, and combined with total RTC data, which were reviewed for primary causation factor and additional keyword search of Investigations summaries for ‘pot’, ‘hole’, ‘road surface’ and ‘uneven’. Filtered results were assessed as to whether keywords found related to relevant factors requested. Often mention of ‘road surface’ was only noted in relation to whether it was wet, dry, or slippery. 1. Road Traffic Collisions 2018 2019 2020 * Total RTCs 818 738 516

*2020 data based on collisions recorded up to 13/12/2020 2. Road Surface in poor repair causation factor The searches performed only identified one collision in the period reviewed, where a pothole, uneven road surface or road surface in poor repair was mentioned as a contributory factor. This slight injury collision occurred in 2018, and related to loss of traction on a manhole cover. Please quote the reference number 1594289 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely