To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the survival chance of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at (a) 20 mph, (b) 30 mph, (c) 35 mph, (d) 39 mph, (e) 40 mph, (f) 50 mph and (g) 60 mph; and if he will make a statement. (144155)

Research by Ashton and Mackay estimated the chances of a pedestrian surviving if hit by a vehicle travelling at a variety of speeds. This showed that:

At 20 mph there is about a 1 in 40 chance of being killed.

At 30 mph there is about a 1 in 5 chance of being killed.

At 35 mph there is about a 50/50 chance of being killed.

At 40 mph there is about a 9 in 10 chance of being killed.

The research also showed the chances of a child pedestrian surviving are:

At 30 mph there is about a 1 in 5 chance of being killed.

At 40 mph there is about an 8 in 10 chance of being killed.

Pedestrians being hit by vehicles travelling at 39 mph, 50 mph and 60 mph were not assessed as part of this research.