Government report reveals annual number of deaths on British roads increases by 8.7%

The latest report from DfT showed that there was an 8.7% increase in 2022, compared to the previous year.

However, these statistics are more in line with the figures that were released in 2019 – before the covid-19 pandemic.

The provisional 2022 data report showed that the total number fatalities increased from 1,558 in 2021 to 1,695 in 2022.

Furthermore, 75% of all deaths on British roads were caused by men.

Provisional data from DfT revealed that the number of car occupants who died in Britain last year grew by 99 – totalling 781 deaths reported to police.

Analysis of the report showed that motorcyclist deaths rose by 44 to a total of 354.

Pedestrian deaths as a result of a road incident increased by 15 to 376 in 2022.

E-scooters deaths grew to 12 – this is two more cases when compared to the previous year.

Cyclist were the only road user type to report a drop in the total of road fatalities in 2022.

In total there were 85 deaths, 26 fewer than in 2021.

However, the number of cyclists seriously injured on the roads saw an increase of 500 reports to a total of 5,602.

As a result of the data, DfT responded by saying it is working 'tirelessly to improve road safety for all'.

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A DfT spokeswoman said: “We welcome a continued decrease in road casualties compared with 2019 levels, and work tirelessly to improve road safety for all, including through our Think! campaign, updating the Highway Code to protect the most vulnerable road users, and recent funding of £47.5 million towards improving the 27 most dangerous roads in England through the Safer Roads Fund.”

Rebecca Guy, Road Safety Manager at safety charity RoSPA, commented: “Shockingly, of all fatalities in 2022, 75% of fatalities were male, with 62% of all casualties male too.

“When examining data on motorcyclist casualties, we can see there has been a year-on-year increase since 2019 of 5%.

“That will, in part, be due to the pandemic – but could also be related to the vast number of people joining the gig economy to supplement their income.

“At RoSPA, we would like to see road casualty data published as frequently as possible to allow us and the Government to analyse trends and risk factors faster, so that we can save more lives and prevent tragedies from happening.”

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Following the release of the DfT data, RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “There’s no doubt these figures make for gloomy reading – after a reduction in fatalities on our roads during the coronavirus lockdowns, the numbers are now rising again.

And, while the lack of progress over many years in bringing overall casualty numbers down is itself a cause for concern, the figures for the number of men - of all age groups, but especially the young – who are killed on our roads is stark.

“Every person killed is one person too many and we feel improving road safety needs to be given the attention and resources it deserves. We urge the Government to take a serious look at reintroducing casualty reductions targets to give the whole topic much more focus on a national stage.

“RAC research also shows an increasing proportion of drivers are concerned about the poor standard of driving – as many as one-in-three say it is one of their main concerns.

“As a result, we strongly believe the Government should look at whether the long-term decline in full-time road traffic police officers has led to a worsening in driver behaviour and a rise in casualties as a result.”

Despite the increases in road deaths and accidents when compared to 2020 and 2021, the statistics are a slight improvement on pre-covid pandemic levels.

In reported road collisions in Great Britain in 2022 there were an estimated 1,695 fatalities, a decline of 3% compared to 2019.

Also, 29,795 people were reportedly killed or seriously injured – a decline of 3% compared to 2019.

Finally, 136,002 casualties of all severities were recorded. This has shown a decline of 11% when compared to 2019.

What do you make of the statistics from DfT? What more can be done to make the roads safer for all users? Leave your comments below.