Scottish transport secretary calls for continued collaboration amid 2024 road casualty stats

05/06/2025 | GEORGE BARKER

Scottish transport secretary calls for continued collaboration amid 2024 road casualty stats

New data from Transport Scotland has shown there was an increase in fatalities in 2024, despite an overall decrease in casualties from previous years.

There were 5,576 road casualties reported in 2024, 160 of which were fatalities, with 1,931 people seriously injured. This was an increase from 147 fatalities in 2023, but it was also a decrease in serious casualties by 1% from 1,952.

The report also showed that car users had the highest number of casualties in 2024 (3,326), followed by pedestrians (883) and motorcyclists (446). Car driver and passenger casualties decreased by 3% from 2023, but fatalities rose by 30% from 57 to 74.

Motorcycle’s saw a similar pattern, with casualties decreasing by 7% from 2023 but fatalities increasing by four from 27 to 31.

Thankfully, there was a decrease in pedestrian casualties by 7% from 2023 and pedestrian fatalities decreased by six to 41. Cycling casualties also fell by 6%, with cycling fatalities dropping as well from seven to three.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: ‘Behind every one of these statistics is a person or a household that has been changed forever, and my thoughts are with the families and friends that have lost loved ones and those who’ve been injured. One life lost on our roads is one too many, and I want to reiterate that road safety remains an absolute priority for the Scottish Government.’

Continuing, she highlighted the fact that she updated parliament in 2024 that fatal casualties were ‘tracking above targets in 2024’. With the recently published figures appearing to confirm this prediction, Ms Hyslop said that she refuses to accept that people being killed or injured on our roads is inevitable, adding that ‘it is more important than ever that we continue to s upport the vital work of the Scottish Government and partners to save lives’.

Investment in road safety is due to increase, reaching £48m this budgetary year, which Ms Hyslop stated will help fund safety improvement for both local and trunk roads. It is also intended to help with campaigns to raise awareness for issues such as speeding, driving under the influence and seatbelt, as well as funding technology that can improve road safety.

‘It’s vital that we continue to work with our partners at all levels,’ she said, ‘as we look to-wards reaching our target of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030. I recently spoke to organisations at the Road Safety Scot-land Annual Seminar and I am set to chair the next Strategic Partnership Board meeting later this month, where I will continue to impress the importance of road safety investment on members.

‘These figures are a painful reminder of the challenge we face, but I remain absolutely determined to save lives and ensure we continue working towards our long-term vision of no-one being killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads by 2050.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Senior Highways Network Technician - WMF2149e

£33,366 to £34,314
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Service Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW