One hundred and sixty eight people killed in road accidents in 2015
Final statistics for 2015 confirm that one hundred and sixty eight people were killed in reported road accidents in Scotland in 2015, 17 per cent less than in 2014.
Transport Scotland Statisticians today released final figures for road casualties reported to the police in Scotland in 2015. The figures show the total number of casualties fell by three per cent between 2014 and 2015 from 11,307 to 10,968, the lowest number since records began. As well as the decrease in fatalities between 2014 and 2015, the number of people seriously injured also decreased by six per cent to 1,596.
The figures also show that, in 2015, there were 972 child casualties in reported road accidents, a decrease of 6 per cent since 2014. This included four fatalities, 3 fewer than 2014, and 139 children who were seriously injured, down from 172 in 2014.
There were three fewer pedal cyclists killed than in 2014 and 15 less pedestrian fatalities. There were also three less motorcyclists killed and nineteen less car user fatalities.
2015 saw a seven per cent reduction in car users seriously injured, motorcyclist seriously injured decreased by 21 per cent and there was also a slight reduction in pedestrians seriously injured; however, there was a 3 per cent increase in pedal cyclists seriously injured and bus casualties seriously injured increased from 28 to 49 between 2014 and 2015.
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 2015 there were:
- 168 fatalities, a reduction of 42 per cent (2015 milestone - 30% reduction; 2020 target - 40% reduction).
- 1,596 serious injuries, a reduction of 39 per cent (2015 milestone - 43% reduction; 2020 target - 55% reduction).
- an average of seven children killed over the last three years, a reduction of 57 per cent (2015 milestone - 35% reduction; 2020 target - 50% reduction).
- 139 children seriously injured, a reduction of 57% (2015 milestone - 50% reduction; 2020 target - 65% reduction).
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/TSStats-RRCS
These figures update the provisional figures published in Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2015 in June 2016. The figures included in this publication may differ from Police Scotland management information.
The statistics in the publication are used by Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, Local Authorities and road safety professionals across Scotland to target interventions to make Scotland’s roads safer.
The Scottish Road Safety Framework was launched in June 2009, outlining Scotland specific targets. This can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/10/01090036/0. Progress towards the 2020 casualty reduction targets is shown in section 8 of the publication. Each reduction target is assessed against the 2004/08 average. These targets are:
• a 40 per cent reduction in the number of people killed in road traffic accidents;
• a 55 per cent reduction in the number of people seriously injured;
• a 50 per cent reduction in the number of children killed; Measured using an average of three years of data due to the small numbers and year on year fluctuations.
• a 65 per cent reduction in the number of children seriously injured; and
• a 10 per cent reduction in the slight casualty rate, expressed as the number of people slightly injured per 100 million vehicle kilometres
The first target is also part of the Scottish Government National Performance Framework, National Indicator 32 to reduce deaths on Scotland’s roads. http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/indicator/roaddeaths
Further information on Transport and Travel statistics within Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/analysis/statistics
Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About
Contact: Transport Scotland Press Office: 0141 272 7195