Crashes Who’s fault? Laws covering driving

In most countries, the use of public roads is heavily governed by law. Laws cover the construction and maintenance of roads, the construction and use of vehicles, the rules of the road, the requirements for driver and vehicle licensing (see Driver's license and License plate), vehicle taxation, safety inspections and compulsory insurance. These laws reflect the high degree of responsibility which is imposed upon both the drivers and manufacturers of vehicles to make them as safe in use as they can possibly be.

Motorists are almost universally required to take lessons with an approved instructor and pass a driving test before being granted a license. The trend has been towards increasingly tougher tests in recent decades. Almost all countries allow all adults with good vision to apply to take a driving test and, if successful, to drive on public roads. Saudi Arabia, however, bans women from driving vehicles (and riding bicycles) on public roads. Saudi women have periodically staged driving protests against these restrictions.

In many countries, even after passing one's driving test, new drivers may be initially subject to special restrictions. For example, in Australia, novice motorists are required to carry "P" ("provisional") plates, and are subject to lower speed limits, alcohol limits, and other restrictions for their first two years of driving. This varies between states.

Despite advice from motor insurance companies to policy holders at the scene of a crash not to admit liability, some do say 'sorry' as though to admit liability. When completing the insurance paperwork there is rarely a driver who accepts responsibility for being at fault. The insurance companies and the police, if they are involved, have the business of apportioning blame.

What causes crashes? Are the vehicles we drive unsafe? Is the road and traffic environment dangerous? Is it because other road users behave so badly?

An enormous amount of statistical data on RTAs in the UK is published yearly by the Stationery Office (formerly HMSO) informing us of virtually every detail about the types of vehicle and road user involved; where the RTAs happen and the circumstances in which they occurred. From this information trends can be detected, analysed and various remedies considered.