Transport for London (TfL) has published its annual casualty statistics which show an increase in the annual number of road deaths, despite a reduction in total casualties.
The report showed that the number of deaths and serious injuries that occurred on London’s roads in 2024 was 3,694, which is a reduction from 3,710 in 2023. However, 110 people died on London roads in 2024, which is an increase from 95 in 2023.
While TfL has highlighted that 110 is still lower than any pre-pandemic year, an increase of 15 deaths in one year left the authority stating that ‘more work needs to be done to prevent death and serious injury on London’s roads'.
TfL said excess speed continued to be one of the largest dangers to road users, with roughly half of the 2024 fatal collisions in London reporting speed as a contributory factor.
The road users most at risk continued to be pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who made up 81% (2,988 people) of people killed or seriously injured in 2024. Nine cyclists were killed, an increase from the eight in 2023.
While TfL argued that buses were both the most used and safest form of public transport, there were still 13 deaths caused by collisions involving London buses, 11 of which were outside of the vehicle and two were within the buses.
TfL also highlighted its pilot scheme to support families and loved ones of people who have been involved in fatal or life changing road collisions, stating that they have referred over 260 people since its launch in 2023.
Deputy mayor for transport, Seb Dance, said: ‘The Mayor and I remain fully committed to his Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury from London’s roads by 2041. That means continuing to expand our safer speed programme, transforming dangerous junctions and investing in safe, high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure.’
Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, added: ‘2024 saw the lowest number of serious injuries in London, outside the pandemic years, and the number of people killed on London’s roads remains lower than every year before the pandemic. However, it continues to be completely unacceptable that anyone should lose their life while travelling in the capital.’
