29, 711 people were killed or seriously injured in road collisions in 2023 according to the Department of Transport (DfT).
The annual report showed that 132,977 people suffered injuries because of road collisions last year with some 1624 collisions resulting in fatalities. While the number of serious injuries and fatalities remained similar to 2022 levels, overall injuries decreased by 2%. When compared to 33 other countries, Britain ranked third for the lowest number of road fatalities per million.
On the report, Rod Dennis, RAC road safety spokesperson said: “Thankfully, this latest data shows overall casualty and fatality levels are down compared to 12 months earlier, and significantly down on a decade ago – despite a return to the number of miles being driven pre-pandemic.”
The report also revealed that 75% of fatalities and 61% of casualties of all severities were suffered by men. It also highlighted that not wearing a seatbelt was a significant issue, with a quarter of car occupants not buckling up.
Dennis continued “Britain might have an enviable international reputation when it comes to road safety, but this latest data still shows there’s room for improvement.”
This sentiment was shared by a number of industry experts, who stressed the importance of the Government taking concrete steps to implement evidence-based strategies for improving road safety.
Ross Moorlock, chief executive of road safety charity, Brake said: “We are […] calling for the Government to commit to other solutions that are proven to stop crashes and save lives, such as progressive licensing for younger and new drivers, rolling out the General Safety Regulations that exist in the EU and Northern Ireland across all the UK, and reducing the drink-driving limit to almost zero.”
Similarly, head of roads policy at the AA, Jack Cousens said: “A meaningful road safety strategy is desperately clear, as well as more road traffic officers to help enforce the rules of the road.”
