Four Daily Road Deaths Highlight Stalled Progress on UK Roads

On average, four people die every day on roads across Great Britain, with over 70 others suffering serious injuries, according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT).

In total, 1,602 people lost their lives on UK roads in the past year, marking a slight 1% decrease from 1,624 deaths recorded in 2023. Casualties of all severities also saw a 4% reduction. The DfT data shows that 29,467 individuals were either killed or seriously injured (KSI), a small 1% decline compared to the previous year.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has expressed concern over the minimal decrease, stating that it reflects a troubling stagnation in efforts to improve road safety in Britain.

While fatalities among car occupants dropped by 5%, the number of motorcyclist deaths rose by 8% to 340, and pedestrian fatalities edged up by 1% to 409, undoing some of the recent gains in road safety. Vulnerable road users now make up more than half of all fatalities, underlining the urgent need for a renewed approach, RoSPA warns.

The charity is calling on the Government and local authorities to implement proven safety measures as part of the forthcoming national road safety strategy. Recommendations include reducing speed limits in high-risk areas, focused enforcement of traffic laws, investment in safer infrastructure to protect pedestrians and cyclists, and revitalized public education campaigns.

Rebecca Guy, RoSPA’s senior policy manager, said: “These numbers serve as a stark reminder that progress on road safety has stalled, and lives are being lost unnecessarily. It is vital that the upcoming national road safety strategy includes the tools and resources needed to prevent road traffic collisions.”

The Government had pledged last year to release the first comprehensive road safety strategy in over a decade, citing concern that road deaths in the UK have become “normalised.”

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis emphasized the urgency: “Although the latest figures show a marginal decline in casualties, the reality is stark: every day in Great Britain, four people are killed and 76 are seriously injured.”

He added: “While the UK still maintains a strong safety record compared to other nations, the pace of improvement has slowed. National casualty reduction targets and new interventions—such as alcohol interlocks for drink-driving offenders or measures to curb excessive speeding—could help address the most dangerous risks on our roads. We await the Government’s strategy to see how it plans to reduce these numbers further.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, noted: “Every serious injury and death is a tragedy. The figures highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to road safety, as there has been little progress in reducing casualties.”

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, described the data as showing a “worrying lack of progress” in lowering fatal and serious injuries. “The 8% rise in motorcycle deaths is particularly concerning and highlights the need for better protection for vulnerable road users. The increase in motorway fatalities is also alarming,” he said.

The Government’s last Road Safety Strategy was published in 2019. Since then, more than 8,250 people have died on UK roads.

Ross Moorlock, CEO of the road safety charity Brake, stated: “These figures should shock and anger us all. It is unacceptable that, as a society, we largely accept that people die on our roads daily. Each statistic represents a family facing trauma that can last a lifetime. Immediate action is needed to prevent further deaths and injuries.”