Increase in number of people killed on Scotland’s roads

Provisional road casualty figures released today by Transport Scotland show an increase in road fatalities between 2023 and 2024, but a reduction in overall casualties over the same period.

In 2024 there were 160 road fatalities, an increase of 13 from a revised figure of 147 in 2023. There were 1,931 serious casualties in 2024, which is a slight reduction from the 1,952 recorded in 2023. Slight casualties decreased by 7% (from 3,739 to 3,485) meaning that total casualties reduced by 4% (from 5,838 to 5,576).

Despite the overall increase in fatalities between 2023 and 2024, the number of active travel fatalities reduced over the same period. Pedestrian fatalities reduced from 47 to 41 and cyclist fatalities reduces from 7 to 3.

The overall increase in fatalities was largely driven by car fatalities, which rose from 57 to 74. Motorcycle fatalities also increased from 27 to 31.

Road casualties have increased since 2020 and 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions led to reduced travel. However, in 2024 the number of fatalities was the third-lowest recorded in a non-pandemic year.

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

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.