Complaint
A viewer complained that the programme’s presentation of road casualty figures had been misleading, and they did not support the programme’s suggestion of an overall decline in road safety. Though there had been a 5% increase in fatalities per billion vehicle miles between 2019 and 2020, this included a period in which road use had been much reduced by Covid restrictions, and the actual number of fatalities had fallen. The viewer also considered it misleading for the programme to have focused on fatalities when the overall rate of casualties had shown a decline in the period in question. The ECU considered the compliant in the light of the 鶹Լ’s editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
The Department of Transport reported a decrease in fatalities between 2019 and 2020 “associated with the reduction in road traffic in response to the COVID-19 pandemic”. It also noted, however, that the fatality rate (as measured in terms of deaths per billion vehicle miles, which is accepted internationally as a basis for of comparison) had risen in the same period, and the programme was accurate in reporting this as the first time in 40 years that the death rate (as distinct from the absolute number of deaths) had risen. As it has not been argued that this rise can be attributed to a Covid-related reduction in road traffic, the ECU found no inaccuracy in the suggestion of an overall decline in road safety, possibly attributable to the various factors the programme explored. As to the programme’s focus on fatalities rather than casualties, the ECU noted the view of the Department of Transport:
It has long been known that non-fatal (and particularly slight) casualties are underreported to the police and therefore this figure is likely to be an underestimate of the total…Comparisons of road accident reports with death registrations show that very few, if any, road accident fatalities are not reported by the police. However, a considerable proportion of non-fatal casualties are not known to the police, as hospital, survey and compensation claims data all indicate a higher number of casualties than those recorded in police accident data.
In the light of this, the ECU did not consider it inaccurate or misleading for the programme to have focused on fatalities rather than casualties.
Not Upheld