The latest figures from the Scottish Government have revealed impressive progress on road safety, with the number of casualties down to the lowest level since records began.
The reduction in the numbers of crashes and casualties in recent years is particularly notable given the rise in traffic - in 2017 the number of vehicles licensed in Scotland was about a eighth higher than in 2007 and traffic on Scottish roads was estimated to have grown by 7% since 2007.
Data on the number of casualties goes back to 1938 with annual collection of data starting in 1950.
Incidents
- In 2017, there were 141 fatal 'accidents', 34 (19%) fewer than in 2016.
- Serious injury 'accidents' between 2016 and 2017 decreased by 61 (4%) to 1,373.
- Slight injury 'accidents' fell by 1,153 (17%) between 2016 and 2017 to 5,600.
Casualties
- There were 146 people killed in road accidents in Scotland in 2017, 45 (24%) less than in 2016.
- 1,589 people were seriously injured in road accidents in 2017, 110 (6%) less than in 2016.
- 7,693 people were slightly injured in road accidents in 2017, 1,322 (15%) fewer than in 2016.
- There were a total number of 9,428 casualties in 2017 – 1,477 (14%) fewer than in 2016
Cabinet secretary for transport Michael Matheson said: 'Through actions taken by all those involved in improving road safety, the longer term trends show a 50% reduction in fatal injuries, a 39% reduction in serious injuries and a 61% reduction in child fatalities compared to the 2004-2008 baseline figures.
'We will ensure that effective educational resources are delivered across the country, targeting our most vulnerable road user groups. Additionally, we are also working to transform driver behaviour through safety camera programmes.
'Our engineers and road operating companies continue to deliver a world-class trunk road network and as ever, we continue to support Police Scotland, who work tirelessly to enforce laws on our roads and keep people safe.
'In partnership with local authorities, Police Scotland, road safety charities and many others, we are now upping key stakeholder encouragement to do more as we move towards our final push to achieve our 2020 road casualty reduction targets on Scotland’s roads.'
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