UKROEd welcomes fall in deaths on Great Britain’s roads
UKROEd welcomes the news of a fall in deaths on the roads of Great Britain. However, it warns that a great deal of work remains to be done in order to revitalise the momentum needed to achieve Vision Zero.
Latest figures, published by the Department for Transport on 26 September, showed that 1,624 people lost their lives on Britain’s roads in 2023, a fall of five per cent compared with 2022.
The data shows that:
- Some 29,711 people were killed or seriously injured, a very small fall of just two per cent compared with 2022
- 75% of fatalities and 61% casualties of all severities were male
- Motorcycle fatalities were down by 10 per cent
- Pedestrian fatalities and those involving young people appear to be rising
- There was an increase in the proportion of fatalities where a vehicle occupant is not wearing a seat belt. In 2022 this was one fifth, whereas in 2023 it was a quarter.
UKROEd chief executive Ruth Purdie OBE said: “This latest announcement of a fall in fatalities is welcome. However, the number of people losing their lives or experiencing life-changing injuries on our roads is still unacceptably high.
“We are committed to encouraging behaviour change among the drivers and riders who come on our courses. We will also play our part in pushing for significant policy changes, including the introduction of graduated driver licensing and the development of a comprehensive National Road Safety Strategy.”
