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6. Casualties by Mode of Transport (Table 3)

6.1 Figures on numbers of casualties by mode should be compared with data on mode use, for example as published in the road traffic or personal travel sections of Scottish Transport Statistics. Traffic estimates in table 5.3 show car traffic volumes fell by 2 per cent between 2008 and 2011. Over the same period motorcycle/moped use fell by 6 per cent and cycling volumes increased by 12 per cent. Data for 2012 will be published in August as part of Transport and Travel in Scotland 2012.

6.2 In 2012 there were 7,577 car users reported injured in road accidents; three fifths of all casualties (60%: 7,577 out of 12,575) and a 3 per cent fall on 2011. Of these, 72 were killed and 836 seriously injured (a decrease of 19% and an increase of 11% on 2011 respectively). Non built-up roads accounted for over half of all car user casualties (52%: 3,941 out of 7,577) but a much higher percentage of car user fatalities (83%: 60 out of 72) and those seriously injured (68%: 567 out of 836). Again likely due to higher average speeds on these types of roads.

6.3 There were 1,950 pedestrian casualties recorded in 2012: a sixth of all casualties (16%: 1,950 out of 12,575). Three per cent of pedestrian casualties were killed (54 out of 1,950) and 23 per cent seriously injured (456 out of 1,950). 96 per cent of pedestrian casualties occurred on built-up roads (1,868 out of 1,950). 32 per cent of pedestrian casualties on non built-up roads were seriously injured (26 out of 82) compared with 23 per cent on built-up roads (430 out of 1,868).

6.4 Together, all other modes of transport accounted for a quarter (24%) of casualties in 2012 (3,048 out of 12,575), for a similar proportion of those killed (26%: 44 out of 170) and a third of those seriously injured (34%: 667 out of 1,959).

6.5 Motor cycle and Pedal Cycle casualty numbers increased in 2012 compared to 2011, by 7 per cent and 9 per cent respectively. In 2012, 864 motor cycle casualties were reported (7% more than 2011), of whom 342 (40% and an increase of 17% on 2011) suffered serious injuries (21 died, a reduction of 12 on 2011). There were 898 pedal cyclist casualties recorded in 2012, 9 per cent more than in 2011. 167 (19% and an increase of 7% on 2011) were seriously injured and 9 died (two more than in 2011).There are now more cyclists on the roads which will impact on cycling casualty numbers with numbers increasing by around 30 per cent in the last ten years, as shown by the National Travel Survey and Traffic estimates published in Scottish Transport Statistics.

6.6 A total of 439 bus and coach users were reported injured (a reduction of 13% on 2011), of whom 43 (8 less than 2011) were seriously injured (one died).