Statement following publication of Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2017
Commenting on the publication of Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2017, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
“The latest statistics confirm that casualties on Scotland’s roads are at the lowest levels since records began.
“While I and the Scottish Government’s road safety partners can welcome this long-term trend of decreasing road casualties since 2004 – this fact brings no comfort to the friends and relatives of people who have tragically died on Scotland’s roads.
“This point is felt particularly this year, when people across Scotland have had to come to terms with incidents which have shaken local communities and the nation as whole.
“This is why we are resolute in our determination to continue to work towards the ultimate vision set out in the Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, where no-one is killed on Scotland’s roads.
“Through actions taken by all those involved in improving road safety, the longer term trends show a 50% reduction in fatal injuries, a 39% reduction in serious injuries and a 61% reduction in child fatalities compared to the 2004-2008 baseline figures.
“We will ensure that effective educational resources are delivered across the country, targeting our most vulnerable road user groups. Additionally, we are also working to transform driver behaviour through safety camera programmes.
“Our engineers and road operating companies continue to deliver a world-class trunk road network and as ever, we continue to support Police Scotland, who work tirelessly to enforce laws on our roads and keep people safe.
“In partnership with local authorities, Police Scotland, road safety charities and many others, we are now upping key stakeholder encouragement to do more as we move towards our final push to achieve our 2020 road casualty reduction targets on Scotland’s roads."
The full statistical publication is available on the Transport Scotland website.