2. Key Findings

Figure 3: picture of key findings

40,124 Road Traffic Collisions recorded in Scotland in 2015-2020:

• 903 fatal collisions
• 963 fatalities
  • 736 vehicle occupants (drivers, riders and passengers of any vehicle)
    • 162 passengers
    • 574 driver/riders
  • 432 Vulnerable Road Users
    • 227 pedestrians
    • 161 motorcyclists
    • 44 pedal cyclists
• 1,516 vehicles involved

6% (n=50) of fatal collisions resulted in multiple fatalities

78% (n=704) of fatal collisions involved multiple road users

The main contributory factors which influenced fatal collisions were people being careless, reckless or in a hurry, failing to look properly and losing control of their vehicle. Nonetheless, the analysis identified a combination of Road, Vehicle and People countermeasures (CM’s) were required to mitigate the risk of the collision taking place, or reducing the severity of the collision.

2.1 Collision Avoidance:

Training to improve hazard perception and Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) were identified to be the most significant countermeasures for collision avoidance.

2.2 Severity Reduction:

Seatbelt use and improved occupant/pedestrian secondary safety were found to be most effective in severity reduction.

2.3 Avoidance and Severity Reduction:

Reduction in speed limits was a countermeasure identified most frequently for both avoidance and severity reduction.

2.4 Social Deprivation:

Links between social deprivation and driving behaviour were identified, with those from more deprived areas more commonly linked to drink and drug driving, as well as risk taking behaviour such as speeding, aggressive driving, racing and using a vehicle in the course of crime.

This requires a wider public health approach to tackle the root causes of social deprivation and related inequalities.

Additionally, the lack of safe, sustainable and affordable public transport and the lack of adequate, high quality cycling infrastructure were also significant contributors to road safety. All of which require to be addressed to realistically achieve 2050 targets.

2.5 Previous Convictions:

A large number of drivers/riders at fault had previous convictions for driving related offences including dangerous driving, careless driving, drink driving and speeding. Some had multiple convictions prior to being involved in a fatal collision and a number went on to commit further offences following a fatal collision.

A wider review of penalties and criminal justice is required to ensure a robust preventative and enforcement strategy to address this behaviour.

2.6 Young Drivers:

A large number of young drivers were found to be at fault for the fatal collisions and were also more frequently killed as passengers driven by peers around the same age. They often displayed risky behaviour, travelling too fast, getting distracted, drink-driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

A wide ranging, multi-tiered approach is required to address this behaviour, from consideration of a Graduated Driver Licencing system to inclusion of young drivers who have been involved in collisions in a Young Drivers Working Group to identify the best solutions to tackle the issue.

2.7 Older Drivers:

Contributory factors were commonly identified relating to health and eyesight issues and delayed reaction times for older drivers.

A whole system approach is required to review processes around notification by family members, GPs and opticians of fitness to drive, mandatory cognitive assessments and use of assessment simulators.

The full report provides more detail on all fatal collision data, contributory factors and countermeasures and provides recommendations for police and partners to try to reduce risk and make Scotland’s roads safer.