Fatality levels are dropping on UK roads, but some cause for concern

The latest official data from the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) show an overall drop in road-related fatalities. There were 1,760 deaths in road accidents to the year ending in September 2012, a 7% drop from the previous year when there were 1,883 fatalities. A worrying trend however can be seen with regard to vulnerable road users, with an increase in fatalities. The number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in road crashes during this period increased by 4%, pedestrians by 6% and cyclists
February 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The latest official data from the UK’s 5432 Department for Transport (DfT) show an overall drop in road-related fatalities. There were 1,760 deaths in road accidents to the year ending in September 2012, a 7% drop from the previous year when there were 1,883 fatalities. A worrying trend however can be seen with regard to vulnerable road users, with an increase in fatalities. The number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in road crashes during this period increased by 4%, pedestrians by 6% and cyclists by 8%. In all 5,440 motorcyclists, 6,040 pedestrians and 3,270 cyclists were either killed or seriously injured between October 2011 and September 2012. This data is of concern as it shows accidents amongst vulnerable road users are increasing, the opposite of what is happening for other road users. Crash analysis does show that in the instance of accidents involving cyclists and motorcyclists at least, these road users are significantly less likely to be at fault. Measures to reduce the casualty levels would therefore focus on other road users being more aware.

Other data from the DfT does show some encouraging signs. The number of fatal accidents on major roads (motorways and A roads) fell by 9% while the number of fatal or serious accidents fell by 2%. But the number of fatal and serious accidents rose by 5% on minor roads and similarly 5% on built-up roads.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road safety challenge for Europe
    December 3, 2012
    Europe’s road safety drive is highlighting key issues - Mike Woof reports In Europe there is a growing understanding that alcohol use amongst drivers still has to be tackled effectively. Accident data reveals that safety standards are improving across most European countries, with steady reductions in numbers of serious injuries and fatalities. But there remains a problem with alcohol use amongst many drivers and it is amongst this group that accident levels have not fallen. In Spain in particular, there ha
    Read More
  • Road safety concern for the UK
    July 24, 2020
    Road safety concern for the UK with an increase in fatalities.
    Read More
  • Road safety improvements and challenges worldwide
    May 24, 2012
    Road safety is again hitting the headlines worldwide, with new data showing accident reductions being achieved as well as highlighting areas for improvement. Several European nations showed major safety improvements. In Spain, the Home Affairs Office has published encouraging information revealing that the number of fatalities from car accidents fell in 13 out of the country's 17 autonomous regions during 2010. La Rioja region reported a drop of 47%, the best improvement in Spain, while the regions of Astur
    Read More
  • Improving safety for Europe’s roads revealed by latest data
    May 24, 2013
    A wide variety of road safety measures are being implemented across Europe, and with generally beneficial effects. According to the latest data from the European Commission, road fatalities across the EU dropped 9% for 2012 compared with the previous year. In fact 2012 also saw the lowest numbers of people being killed in road traffic crashes in EU countries since data first began being collated. But country by country statistics show that the number of road deaths still varies greatly across the EU.
    Read More

Highlighted Content