The latest statistics from Transport Scotland have revealed a rise in the number of people killed in reported road traffic accidents during 2016.
Scottish Fatalities Rise by 23
According to the figures, a total of 191 people lost their lives in accidents on Scotland’s roads, which is an increase of 23 compared to 2015.
There was a fall of 1% in the total number of casualties, from 10,974 in 2015 to 10,881 in 2016, which is apparently the lowest number since records begun. However, there was a 6% increase in the number of people sustaining a serious injury, taking the total to 1,693 in 2016.
The Transport Scotland figures also give a breakdown of injury numbers by road user. They show that in 2016:
- 1,011 children were injured in reported road accidents, which is a rise of 4% over the previous year. This total includes 167 serious injuries and twelve fatalities. The comparable figures in 2015 were 139 and four respectively.
- Pedal cyclist fatalities increased by three compared to 2015
- Pedestrian fatalities fell by twelve
- Motorcyclist fatalities increased by three
- Car user fatalities rose by 31
Progress against Road Safety Targets
The Transport Scotland statistics also provide an update on progress against Scotland’s road safety targets as set out in the Scottish Road Safety Framework. Compared to the 2004-2008 baseline, in 2016 there were:
- 191 fatalities, representing a reduction of 35% on the 2004-2008 baseline. The 2020 target is a reduction of 40%.
- 1,693 serious injuries, representing a reduction of 35% on the baseline. The 2020 target is a reduction of 55%.
an average of eight children killed over the last three years, representing a reduction of 50%. The 2020 target is a reduction of 50% - 167 children seriously injured, which is a reduction of 49% on the baseline. The 2020 target is a reduction of 65%.
Increase Road Deaths Described as ‘Shocking’
Road safety charity Brake has described the figures as ‘deeply troubling’, adding that it is shocking to see more children, cyclists and motorcyclists needlessly losing their lives.
“Today’s statistics show that, while progress is being made toward some of the 2020 Scottish Road Safety Framework targets, there is far more work to be done,” commented Jason Wakeford, spokesman for Brake.
“We must strive for a vision of zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” he said. “We urge the Scottish Government to implement a default 20mph limit in built up areas, accompanied by additional speed enforcement on roads by the police.”
“Brake is also calling on the European Commission to urgently update new vehicle safety standards and the UK Government to set up a Road Collision Investigation Branch,” he added. “Understanding and collating the details of individual road crashes and the circumstances that led to them is critical, to enable lessons to be learned and help prevent future deaths across the country.”
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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