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.

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