Ministerial statement following publication of Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2019

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“These figures for 2019 show that yet again, overall road casualties on Scotland’s roads remain at their lowest levels since records began. Sadly, it remains the case that from this lower total number of casualties, more people have died on Scotland’s roads compared to last year. While we are on track to exceed our reduction target for fatal collisions, I know that this offers no comfort to the friends and family of those who have tragically lost their lives.

“Road safety partners remain determined to achieve our Vision Zero ambition – where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads. Later this year, we will consult on a new Road Safety Framework for the next decade which will have a renewed focus on pedestrians and cyclists, as recommended by the newly-adopted Stockholm Declaration, and will ensure our road safety vision is informed by the latest thinking to help keep all road users safe.

“I’m pleased that last year Police Scotland implemented a new information management system which enables them to more accurately record details of serious and slight collisions involving road casualties. This will better inform targeted road safety interventions by Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Local Authorities and the Scottish Safety Camera Programme. However, comparisons of the number of serious and slight accidents casualties to earlier years should be made with caution.

“Our award winning marketing campaigns, delivered by Road Safety Scotland and partners continues to change behaviours and better safeguard vulnerable road users. In addition, the new £250,000 Average Speed Camera system between Tyndrum and Lix Toll on the A82/A85 has now commenced enforcement, which we know from previous systems will improve driver behaviour and speed limit compliance. Our funding for active travel is at a record level of £100.5 million and we’ve also allocated £30 million this year to support the Spaces for People initiative. This enables local authorities to deliver temporary active travel infrastructure to enable physical distancing and keep people safe from traffic.

“Through a continued commitment to best practice in education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement, Scotland’s road safety partners are still working during the COVID-19 crisis to make our roads safer than ever before. With the positive increases we’ve seen in cycling recently, let’s all continue to give space and to look out for each other on our roads.”