Scotland’s target to reduce fatal or serious accidents by 40% has been met five years early, as the numbers of KSIs fell to the lowest level since records began.
But, as the Scottish Executive launched a new anti-drink drive campaign, the figures also revealed one in seven accidents involved drivers who were over the legal limit. The Key 2005 road accident statistics published last week revealed 286 people were killed on Scotland’s roads, 20 fewer than in 2004 (7%), and the lowest since records began in 1952. Serious injuries were down by 6%, to 2,594, according to the provisional statistics. This meant the 2,880 people killed and seriously injured (KSI) were a fraction over 40% down, compared with the 1994-98 baseline.
The number of KSIs nationally was only 28%, down from 1994-98 according to the latest data, for 2004. The provisional total of 360 children killed or seriously injured in 2005 was 57% below the 1994-98 average of 842, so the 2010 target of a 50% reduction has been hit. Pedestrian as well as car-user casualties were down, a 12% reduction compared with 2004, with a total of 3,048. But, mirroring the situation south of the border, motorcyclist casualties increased by 9% to 1,078, and now stand at 15% above the 1994-98 baseline. The vast bulk of fatal accidents were in non built-up areas – 72% – but these inter-urban routes had only 42% of the total number of casualties. The reductions in KSIs, compared with the baseline, varied significantly across the country, from 53% in Strathcylde, which includes Glasgow, to 18% in Lothan & Borders, which includes Edinburgh, according to the statistics.
The second-biggest reduction was in the Northern Police region covering the Highlands and Island where KSIs fell by 41%. Scottish transport minister, Tavish Scott, said: ‘These figures demonstrate that our promotion of safe driving through effective education, safety improvements on our roads, and tougher enforcement are starting to pay off. ‘However we must not be complacent as there are still areas where more needs to be done. Drink-driving remains a very serious problem.’
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