PRESS RELEASE

26 September 2014

GEM Motoring Assist welcomes drop in road casualties

ROAD SAFETYorganisation GEM Motoring Assist welcomes the annual report of Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2013, published today, which shows a two per cent reduction in road deaths compared with 2012.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE comments: "It is good to see a further overall fall in casualties, and this year's figure represents the lowest since records began in 1926.

"We are concerned at the rise in child pedestrian fatalities (up from 20 in 2012 to 26 in 2013), the rise in motorway fatalities (from 88 in 2012 to 100 in 2013) and the substantial rise in motorcycle motorway fatalities (from 4 in 2012 to 14 in 2013)."

GEM Motoring Assist believes that these figures could be reduced significantly if the following actions are prioritized:

• Better enforcement of road traffic laws

• Higher fines for offences involving driver distraction

• A thorough review of motorway safety in the light of the fatality increases, with particular emphasis on the new stretches of ‘managed motorway'

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Notes for editors

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.