New figures show there were 5,621 road casualties reported across Scotland in 2022, which is 506, or ten per cent higher than 2021, although down 51% compared to 2013.
Analysts suggest the increase in casualties in 2022 may be linked to the higher levels of traffic seen in 2022 compared with 2021.
The Department for Transport estimates motor traffic volume increased by 9% in Scotland in 2022 compared with 2021, almost as high as pre-pandemic levels.
In 2022, 173 people died on Scotland’s roads, while 1,776 were seriously injured. 3,672 more were slightly injured in road collisions. Three of those killed were children, and 176 more children were seriously injured.
Read the key findings here.
Scotland’s Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “One death on our roads is simply one too many. My thoughts are with the families and friends who have tragically lost a loved one, and those whose lives are changed forever.
“We do not accept that road casualties are inevitable and are determined to do everything we can to ensure these numbers come down as we work towards our long term target of no one being seriously injured or killed on our roads by 2050. That is why the Scottish Government is investing more than £31 million pounds on road safety this financial year to support projects such as our Trunk Road Casualty Reduction Programme, the Road Safety Improvement Fund, our Safety Camera Programme and the expansion of 20 mph areas in communities across Scotland. This is in addition to Police Scotland’s enforcement work and the action taken by our local authorities.
“It’s also important we continue to invest in active travel to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and safer across the country. Our record investment in active travel this financial year is coupled with improvements in public transport and our ambition to cut the number of car kilometres by 20% by 2030.
“Road safety remains an absolute priority for this government and we are determined to continue working towards our goal of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.”
(Graphic – Transport Scotland)
