Decrease in number of people killed on Scotland’s roads

One hundred and forty six people were killed in reported road accidents in Scotland in 2017, 45 fewer than in 2016.

Transport Scotland statisticians today released provisional headline figures for road casualties reported to the police in Scotland in 2017. The figures show that the total number of casualties fell by 14 per cent between 2016 and 2017 from 10,905 to 9,391, to the lowest number since records began.  The number of people seriously injured decreased by seven per cent  to 1,580.

The figures also show that in 2017 there were 899 child casualties in reported road accidents, a decrease of 10 per cent since 2016. This included two fatalities, 10 fewer than 2016 and 152 children who were seriously injured, down from 167 in 2016.

There were three fewer pedal cyclists killed than in 2016 and 6 more pedestrian fatalities. There was also one fewer motorcyclist killed and 41 fewer car user fatalities.

2017 saw a 13 per cent decrease in car users seriously injured and motor cyclist serious injuries rose by 4 per cent. However, the number of pedestrians seriously injured decreased from 399 to 370 and pedal cyclists seriously injured from 148 to 171 between 2016 and 2017. Other modes of transport saw decreases in the number of people seriously injured from 122 to 97.

These statistics provide updates on progress against Scotland’s road safety targets as set out in the Scottish Road Safety Framework. Compared to the 2004-2008 baseline, in 2017 there were:

• 146 fatalities, representing a reduction of 50 per cent on the 2004-2008 baseline. (The 2020 target is a reduction of 40%.
• 1,580 serious injuries, representing a reduction of 39 per cent on the baseline. (The 2020 target is a reduction of 55%.)
• an average of six children killed over the last three years, representing a reduction of 61 per cent. The 2020 target is a reduction of 50%
• 152 children seriously injured, a reduction of 53% on the baseline. The 2020 target is a reduction of 65%.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff free from any political interference, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

The full statistical publication is available on the Transport Scotland website: http://bit.ly/KRRCS