Increase in number of people killed on Scotland’s roads

Two hundred people were killed in reported road accidents in Scotland in 2014 – a rise of 16% on the previous year.
Transport Scotland has released provisional headline figures for road casualties reported to the police in Scotland in 2014. The figures show that the total number of casualties fell by two per cent between 2013 and 2014 from 11,504 to 11,240, to the lowest number since records began. However, the number of fatalities rose by 16%, between 2013 and 2014, from 172 to 200 and the number of people seriously injured also increased by one per cent to 1,694.

The figures also show that in 2014 there were 1,040 child casualties in reported road accidents, a decrease of two per cent since 2013. This included seven fatalities, two fewer than 2013 and 171 children who were seriously injured, up from 143 in 2013.
There were five fewer pedal cyclists killed than in 2013 but 18 more pedestrian fatalities. There were also eight more motorcyclists killed and four more car user fatalities.

2014 saw a five per cent reduction in car users seriously injured and a small decrease in bus and coach users seriously injured but other modes of transport saw increases in the number of people seriously injured; there were five per cent more pedestrians and pedal cyclists seriously injured and a 14% increase in the number of motorcyclists seriously injured between 2013 and 2014.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “The increase in fatalities and the number of people seriously injured in road accidents in 2014 is disappointing. However it also demonstrates the need for every one of us to take responsibility when using the road network. The longer term downward trends and the annual decline in the total number of casualties, to the lowest level since records began, are encouraging but more can, and must, be done.”