London road deaths fell to lowest level in 2021

The number of people killed on London’s roads in 2021 fell to the lowest level on record, but collisions  increased as lockdowns ended.

Transport for London (TfL) has published casualty statistics that show the number of people killed on London’s roads fell by 22% in 2021 - the lowest level on record - compared to a 7% increase nationally.

Despite this decrease, TfL said overall casualties have increased since the coronavirus lockdowns ended and traffic has returned.

As traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels, the number of people who were killed or seriously injured increased by 17%, rising from 3,070 in 2020 to 3,580 in 2021.

Vulnerable road users continue to be most at risk with people walking, cycling and motorcycling making up 81% of all people killed or seriously injured in 2021. The number of people killed while cycling in 2021 was down by 40% on the 2005-09 baseline, from 17 to 10 people. However, serious injuries to people cycling increased by 54%. This partly reflects increases in the number of journeys cycled, with the most recent figures showing the share of road journeys by bicycle almost doubling.

People riding motorcycles continued to be disproportionately involved in collisions resulting in fatal and serious injuries to themselves and to others, especially people walking. In 2021, motorcyclists accounted for less than 3% of vehicle kilometres travelled but 19% of fatalities. The greatest absolute increase in serious injuries was recorded among motorcyclists, notably smaller capacity motorcycles of 125cc or below.

Cars continued to be the main vehicle type involved in collisions in 2021, according to TfL figures. Cars were involved in 64% of all collisions resulting in death or injury, up from 62% in 2019.

In half of the 2021 fatal collisions in London, excess speed was a contributory factor.

The number of people killed or seriously injured in or by a bus in 2021 was the second lowest number on record after 2020 and is 70% down on the 2005-09 baseline.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “Every death and serious injury on our roads is a tragedy and I refuse to believe that they are something we have to accept as inevitable. Our Vision Zero action plan sets out tough measures to help reduce risk and eliminate death and serious injury from London's roads.

“The pandemic has also demonstrated that fewer cars on our roads mean fewer deaths and serious injuries, which is why I’m determined to make sure we deliver a green recovery in London by encouraging more Londoners to walk and cycle.

“The cost to the capital of a car-led recovery cannot be underestimated, with increased road danger, detrimental health impacts, time wasted stuck in traffic and billions lost to the economy. There is still much more to do to eradicate road deaths and serious injuries from our streets, but I am determined that together we will help make London greener, more sustainable and safer for all.”