Big fall in number of dead and injured on Birmingham's roads after speeding crackdown

Around 100 fewer people were killed or maimed on city roads in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2024

The toll of deaths and serious injuries on roads across the West Midlands is falling after a crackdown on speeding drivers, road safety partners said today.

Those badly hurt or dying as a result of collisions on local roads is down by nearly a fifth this year - representing 104 fewer people and families affected as a result.

More enforcement, more mobile patrols, extra police and other new road safety measures are believed to have been significant in the reduction, say partners including West Midlands Police, the region's mayor and police and crime commissioner, and local councils.

It is the first data-check after the region implemented a new West Midlands Road Safety Action Plan last November. The plan, developed by the Regional Road Safety Partnership, includes increased enforcement action against speeding and dangerous driving, alongside local initiatives.

In a joint statement last year, Mayor Richard Parker, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and BirminghamCity Council leader John Cotton all united to commit to tackle reckless driving and save lives.

The UK's first Regional Road Safety Commissioner, campaigner Mat MacDonald, was also appointed to drive forward the action plan.

The actions came in response to high profile campaigns, led by Roadpeace and Better Streets for Birmingham, pressing for urgent action in the wake of a series of shocking deaths and serious injuries, including young children.

Latest figures from West Midlands Police show that 471 people were killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads between January and June 2025. That's down from 575 during the same period in 2024.

Mayor Richard Parker said: “I’ve met families who’ve lost loved ones to dangerous driving and witnessed the heartbreak it causes. That’s why road safety is a top priority for me and why I appointed Mat to help turn our plans into real change.

“The latest data shows the action plan we put in place last year is beginning to get results. So far this year over 100 fewer people have lost their lives or been seriously injured, that’s 100 families spared the heartbreak that comes with road traffic collisions.