Road Convictions fell dramatically in 1981, from about 480 to 250 people per 10 000, and then declined gradually until 1985. At this point they began a steep rise which peaked at about 3.3% in 1989. The figures fell sharply in 1990 and remained steady over the next year. The conviction rate then fell gradually until 1994 with hardly any change over the next four years. Model answer for exercise 2. Between 1955 and 1960 mortgage interest rates remained fairly constant at around 5%. Over the next decade they climbed steadily to reach around 8.5% in 1977. During the next ten years there was a dramatic rise culminating in a maximum of 20% in 1987. From then to 1995 the rate fell sharply back to the pre 1977 level of around 8.5%. Levels fluctuated over the next 3 years, varying between 8.5 and 11%.