Police pay crash victims £3.5million in compensation

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

More than 1,400 claims, or four a day, were made in England and Wales - far worse than 2005, when 1,100 injury incidents cost forces' insurers an estimated £3million.

In total, there are 50 crashes with police vehicles every day.

Separate figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission show deaths from accidents with police vehicles have risen more than fivefold since 1997, from nine to 48. Most occur when fleeing suspects lost control of a vehicle.

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has campaigned for urgent improvements to officers' training and wants "black box" data recorders fitted in all pursuit cars.

Some forces put officers through a five-week training scheme before they can chase suspects at high speed, while others give as little as 13 days.

The road safety charity Brake called the figures "astonishing", adding: "Even if police are attending an incident where there is a threat to life, they could be risking lives by speeding."