Finalised road casualty statistics for 2023

Finalised statistics for 2023 confirm that there was a fall in the number of people killed in reported road collisions in Scotland in 2023 compared to 2022. However, there was a rise in the overall total number of casualties

The Reported Road Casualties publication released today by Transport Scotland Statisticians provides finalised figures for the number of people injured or killed as a result of road collisions. Provisional figures were published in May.

The finalised statistics for 2023 confirm that 155 people were killed in reported road collisions in Scotland in 2023, 16 less than in 2022. The number of people seriously injured was 1,944, 161 (9%) more than 2022.

The overall number of casualties rose in 2023 from 5,643 to 5,829.

Although the total number of casualties has increased each year since all-time recorded lows in 2020 (the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic), casualties are still at low levels historically. The number of casualties recorded in 2023 was the fourth lowest on record.

Scotland’s current Road Safety Framework, contains four national targets for casualty reductions due for delivery in 2030. These targets compare performance to a 2014-2018 baseline.

Target

2030 target reduction

2023 achieved reduction

People killed

50%

11%

People seriously injured

50%

29%

Children (aged < 16) killed

60%

23%

Children (aged < 16) seriously injured

60%

31%

Other findings contained in the report include:

  • Car driver accident rates per head of population varied markedly by age and sex. In 2023, the overall rate was 1.6 accident per thousand population aged 17+. The highest rate was for males in the 17-25 age group, with a rate of 2 per thousand population in 2023. This rate is almost twice those of females of the same age (1.1 per thousand in 2023).
  • The latest available estimates suggest that the number of drink-drive collisions fell by 55% between 2012 and 2022: from 440 accidents to 200.

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.


Published 30 Oct 2024