Changes to working patterns - in particular, flexible and home working - are being credited with the drop in fatal road accidents on Fridays.
Analysis by AA road safety experts has found that last year there were fewer people killed or seriously injured on Fridays between 8 and 9am, and between 5 and 6pm, than during the same hours from Monday to Thursday.
The AA analysed peak period figures for accidents over the last eight years and found that the 'Fatal Friday' phenomenon is on the decline in peak periods. In the past, the higher accident rates in the Friday evening rush hour was put down to more traffic, tired drivers at the end of the week, and the 'Thank God it's Friday' effect leading to lack of concentration.
According to Edmund King, AA president, "Changes in our working patterns appear to be having an effect on the roads. In the past, the Friday rush resulted in far more accidents, but flexible working seemsto have diminished the fatal Friday phenomenon. Changing the way we work can change our lives in more ways than one".
King adds that, however, "In overall terms, Fridays on the road still experience the most delays and most deaths. Further increases in flexible working would result in fewer delays and fewer deaths".
