RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : 2001

High-tech gifts flooding into UK homes this Christmas will bring new accident problems to add to the traditional perils faced by families during the festive season. RoSPA estimates up to 80,000 people will go to hospital after accidents over the Christmas break. Along with the usual trips over toys, candle fires and burns from turkey fat will be a growing number of accidents with computers and other state-of-the-art gadgets. Full Story»

Thousands of drivers who take the wheel when tired are deliberately putting lives at risk, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. As Gary Hart was found guilty of causing the deaths of 10 people by dangerous driving, RoSPA said sleepy motorists were acting just as irresponsibly as drink drivers. Full Story»

Drivers who risk having a Christmas drink and then get behind the steering wheel could pay for it for the rest of their lives, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. As the Government launched its Christmas drink-drive campaign, RoSPA urged motorists to realise they were putting their own jobs and safety in jeopardy - and also risked wrecking the lives of other innocent people. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today urged the Government to give its full support to new plans for tackling Britain's biggest occupational safety problem - work-related road accidents. As the independent Work-Related Road Safety Task Group published its findings, RoSPA said total commitment was needed to reduce an estimated 800-1,000 deaths occurring annually in road accidents linked to work. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today welcomed news that a bid is to be made in the House of Commons to prevent motorists from using mobile phones while driving. Janet Anderson, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, will introduce a Private Members Bill on Wednesday (November 14) calling for a ban on drivers using hand-held phones while at the wheel. Full Story»

A ten-point plan to make all new UK houses considerably safer for less than £700 will be discussed at a national conference on Monday. Simple devices, which in the long term could be included in new building regulations and guidelines, would save lives and prevent thousands of injuries each year, according to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Full Story»

Thousands of families will gamble with their safety over the next few days by failing to plan back-garden firework displays properly, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. Hastily prepared bonfire parties are the ones most likely to end in disaster, RoSPA said. Out of 972 firework accidents last year, 421 happened at family or private parties. Full Story»

Lord Faulkner of Worcester is the new President of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. He was elected at RoSPA’s annual meeting in Birmingham, and succeeds Lord Davies of Oldham, who stepped down from the post after being appointed a Government Whip. Lord Faulkner will also chair the Society’s Executive Committee. Full Story»

Changing the clocks this weekend will mark the start of the peak season for road accidents, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. Only if road users take more time and more care over the next few weeks will the annual surge in accidents witnessed each November be halted. In the long term, RoSPA would like to see a change in the law so that evenings are lighter all year round. This could prevent around 450 deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads each year. Full Story»

Employers throughout the UK are being challenged to overhaul their accident investigation procedures in a bid to reduce the number of people killed and injured at work each year. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believes that by using its ten-point prompt list during European Week for Safety and Health at Work (starting October 15), companies and organisations can play a major part in ending pain and suffering in the future. Full Story»