Road deaths decline but speeding a factor in half of fatalities

There were an estimated 1,607 fatalities on Britain’s roads over a 12-month period up to June, a decline of 2% compared to the year ending June 2023.

The new figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) also show that 29,540 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI), little change compared to the previous 12 months, and there were 128,920 casualties of all severities, a decline of 4%.

Of the road user groups with the most casualties, the statistics show that in Great Britain the year ending June 2024, compared to the year ending June 2023, the biggest estimated percentage change for fatalities was cyclists, which showed a decline of 5%. 

Cyclists also had the biggest estimated percentage change for all casualties, showing a decline of 6%

Considering demographics, 75% of fatalities and 61% of casualties of all severities were male in Great Britain the year ending June 2024.

In terms of contributing factors, speed was cited in 56% of all fatalities.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “It’s good to see a slight reduction in the number of fatalities on Britain’s roads over a 12-month period, particularly among cyclists, in these provisional casualty figures. 

“However, it’s very concerning to see that there were 1,194 casualties and six deaths among e-scooter riders. 

“While collisions involving e-scooters dropped this year from 1,413 in 2023, it’s important to realise these are statistics that didn’t exist a few years ago when there were no e-scooters on the roads. 

“This evidently accounts for much of the shocking 55% rise in fatalities in the ‘other vehicle occupants’ category when compared with 2014 numbers.”

He added: “It’s clear that drivers’ decision to speed continues to contribute to a large proportion of fatalities – more than half last year alone.”

Of particular concern to IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards, Nicholas Lyes, is what appears to be an alarming spike in the number of young women killed in the past 12 months. 

“It’s vital that the Government looks at all solutions that could reduce deaths on our roads, including the improvement of driving skills, managing in-vehicle distractions and effective enforcement of the so-called ‘fatal four’ – speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone,” he said.