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Encouraging stats for 2005

The DfT last week published national statistics on road casualties in Great Britain in 2005, which relate to casualties in accidents reported to the police.

Overall, the figures are encouraging, with casualties down in most categories. However, there was a 10% rise in the number of cyclists killed, and a very slight rise in the number deaths among car users.

The key results include:

• The number of people killed in road accidents fell by 1% - from 3,221 in 2004 to 3,201 in 2005. 32,155 people were killed or seriously injured in 2005, 6% fewer than in 2004. There were 271,017 road casualties in Great Britain in 2005, 3% less than in 2004.
• Provisional figures indicate that road traffic levels remained at about the same level as in 2004 and consequently the provisional estimate is that the overall casualty rate per 100 million vehicle kilometres was 3% lower than in 2004.
• Child casualties fell by 9%. The number of children killed or seriously injured was 3,472 (down 11% on 2004). Of those, 2,134 were pedestrians (9% down on 2004). 141 children died on the roads, 15% fewer than in 2004.
• Pedestrian casualties were 33,281, 5% lower than 2004. There were 671 pedestrian deaths, the same as in 2004, while serious injuries fell by 5%.
• The number of pedal cyclists killed rose by 10% to 148 in 2005, the highest level since 1999. The number seriously injured rose by 2% to 2,212, while total casualties fell by 1%, to 16,561.
• There were 24,824 two-wheeled motor vehicle user casualties in 2005, 3% less than in 2004. The number seriously injured decreased by 2% to 5,939, and the number killed decreased by 3% to 569.
• The number of deaths among car users in 2005 was 1,675, four more than in the previous year. The number seriously injured fell by 11% to 12,942. Total casualties among car users were 178,302, 3% fewer than 2004. Provisional traffic estimates indicate no rise in car and taxi traffic over the period.
• There were 198,735 road accidents involving personal injury in 2005, 4% fewer than in 2004. Of these, 27,942 involved death or serious injury.

David Frost, LARSOA's press officer, welcomed the statistics - but also reminded drivers of the part they must play in reducing casualties further. "The reduction in the number of people killed on the roads is good news - but the stark fact that around nine people die every day on our roads is tragic.  

"RSOs work tirelessly to educate and train the public - and do the best they can to raise awareness of the daily toll on our roads. RSO's will continue this work - but road users, particularly drivers, must realise the part they play in this partnership."

RoSPA welcomed the fall in the number of fatalities on Britain's roads, but is 'deeply concerned' that deaths among pedal cyclists have risen again.

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA's head of road safety, said: "While we are pleased that the overall number of deaths has fallen again, we are deeply disturbed that more pedal cyclists have died.

"We hope that the extra funding announced this week for cycle training and cycle routes to schools will help to stem this trend. We want to encourage cycling and we don't want parents to be put off by these figures. Training is essential and can have benefits for years to come.

Further details are available on the DfTs website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk

More comprehensive analysis of casualty statistics will be published later this year in Road Casualties Great Britain: 2005.

www.larsoa.org.uk