Increase in number of people killed on Scotland’s roads

One hundred and ninety one people were killed in reported road accidents in Scotland in 2016, 23 more than in 2015.

Transport Scotland Statisticians today released provisional headline figures for road casualties reported to the police in Scotland in 2016. The figures show that the total number of casualties fell by one per cent between 2015 and 2016 from 10,974 to 10,881, to the lowest number since records began.  The number of people seriously injured increased by six per cent  to 1,693.

The figures also show that in 2016 there were 1,011 child casualties in reported road accidents, an increase of 4 per cent since 2015. This included twelve fatalities, 8 more than 2015 and 167 children who were seriously injured, up from 139 in 2015.

There were three more pedal cyclists killed than in 2015 and 12 fewer pedestrian fatalities. There were also three more motorcyclists killed and 31 more car user fatalities.

2016 saw a 19 per cent increase in car users seriously injured and motor cyclist serious injuries rose by 4 per cent. However, the number of pedestrians seriously injured decreased from 424 to 397 and pedal cyclists seriously injured from 164 to 147 between 2015 and 2016. Other modes of transport saw increases in the number of people seriously injured from 67 to 81.

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 2016 there were:

• 191 fatalities, representing a reduction of 35 per cent on the 2004-2008 baseline. (The 2020 target is a reduction of 40%. This also updates National Indicator 32, to reduce deaths on Scotland’s roads http://www.gov.scot/About/scotPerforms.)
• 1,693 serious injuries, representing a reduction of 35 per cent on the baseline. (The 2020 target is a reduction of 55%.)
• an average of eight children killed over the last three years, representing a reduction of 50 per cent. The 2020 target is a reduction of 50%
• 167 children seriously injured, a reduction of 49% 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.