4. Reported numbers of Casualties (Table 2)

4. Reported numbers of Casualties (Table 2)

4.1 In 2017, 146 people were killed in road accidents in Scotland: 45 (24%) fewer than 2016. Since 1978, there has been a clear, steady long-term downward trend. More recent years' figures have fluctuated around a less pronounced downward trend [Figure 1].

4.2 In 2017 there were 1,580 people seriously injured in road accidents: 119 (7%) less than in 2016. The long-term trend, has generally been downward since the early 1980s [Figure 2].

4.3 There were 7,665 people reported as slightly injured in 2017 which was 1,350 (15%) fewer than in 2016. Between 1970 and the late 1990s, the figures fluctuated between 17,000 and 21,000. However, there has been a clear downward trend since 1997 [Figure 3].

1. Figures for 2016 and earlier years may differ slightly to those previously published due to late returns, or corrections to earlier returns.
2. Although regular records of the numbers of casualties began in 1947, the level of severity was only collected from 1950 and the number of injury road accidents weren't collected until 1970.

4.4 There were a total of 9,391 casualties (of all severities) reported in 2017: 1,514 (14%) fewer than in 2016 and the lowest number since records began in 1950. Between around 1970 and 1990, the figures fluctuated around a general downward trend, with numbers falling from the short-term peak in 1989 & 1990 (of over 27,000). Since 1998, there has been a consistent reduction every year, with numbers falling below 12,000 in 2013, which was half the level of the early 1990s [Figure 3].