Progress towards casualty reduction targets for 2030
Introduction
The Scottish Government recently published a new Road Safety Framework to 2030. The following section provides information on the progress made towards the four main casualty reduction targets outlined in the framework. These targets are included in Table 2 and each reduction target is assessed against the 2014/18 average.
Target | 2030 target % reduction |
---|---|
People killed | 50% |
People seriously injured | 50% |
Children (aged < 16) killed | 60% |
Children (aged < 16) seriously injured | 60% |
When reporting progress towards the two targets relating to serious injuries, years prior to 2020 (including the baseline period of 2014-2018) are reported on the basis of adjusted figures (see Introduction for more information).
Target: 50% reduction in those killed by 2030
There were 155 people killed in 2023, an 11% reduction since the adjusted 2014-18 baseline average. Provisionally, the number in 2023 is not on track to meet the framework target for 2030 (a reduction of 50% from 2014-18 baseline). Figure 11 shows that the total number of fatalities in 2023 was above the indicative line required to achieve the target.
Target: 50% reduction in those seriously injured by 2030
On the basis of adjusted figures, there were 1,930 serious injuries in 2023, a 29% reduction since the adjusted 2014-18 baseline level.
Figure 12 shows that, provisionally, the reduction is on track to meet the framework target for 2030 (a reduction of 50% from 2014-18 baseline).
Target: 60% reduction in children killed by 2030
Due to small numbers and year-to-year fluctuations this target is measured using a three-year average. An average of 4 children a year were killed in the 2021-2023 period, a 23% reduction from the 2014-2018 baseline. Figure 13 provisionally shows that the reduction is not on track to meet the framework target for 2030.
Target: 60% reduction in children seriously injured by 2030
On the basis of the adjusted figures, there were 175 serious injuries in 2023, a 33% reduction since the adjusted 2014-18 baseline level. Figure 14 provisionally shows that the reduction is not on track to meet the framework target for 2030 (a reduction of 60% from 2014-18 baseline).



