UK road casualties lowest on record

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that the number of people killed in road accidents reported to the police fell by 16% from 2,222 in 2009 to 1,857 in 2010 – the lowest figure since national records began in 1926. A total of 22,660 people were seriously injured in reported road accidents (a reduction of 8%) while 184,138 people were slightly injured (a reduction of 6%). The 2010 figures are significant because they confirm that casualty reduction targets set in 2000 have been surpassed.
April 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSThe UK 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that the number of people killed in road accidents reported to the police fell by 16% from 2,222 in 2009 to 1,857 in 2010 – the lowest figure since national records began in 1926. A total of 22,660 people were seriously injured in reported road accidents (a reduction of 8%) while 184,138 people were slightly injured (a reduction of 6%). The 2010 figures are significant because they confirm that casualty reduction targets set in 2000 have been surpassed.

Despite the overall reduction in casualties, there was a very disappointing rise in the number of cyclists killed - to 111, an increase of seven (7%) on 2009. The number of cyclists seriously injured also increased, by 2% to 2,660. However, it is worth noting that the numbers of cyclists using UK roads continues to increase and particularly for commuting in some urban areas. There was also a disappointing 24% increase in goods vehicle occupants killed - up from 50 to 62.

The number of children who were killed fell by a third (from 81 to 55). There were also reductions in the number of children who were injured.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • London wins prize that no-one wants
    January 11, 2023
    UK capital is most congested city in world - again! - says Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard
    Read More
  • UN chief highlights road safety
    November 21, 2012
    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has highlighted the importance of road safety in preventing more than one million people from dying and many more from getting injured each year in traffic accidents. “This year, the world's roads have claimed some 1.2 million lives,” Mr. Ban said in his message marking World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. “Added to the fatalities are the more than 50 million people injured each year – many of them now condemned to enduring physical disabilities and psychologic
    Read More
  • ITS industry in the US has grown to $48 billion and will expand
    April 17, 2012
    ITS America has released what it says is the most comprehensive study to date on the scope of the ITS industry in the United States and North America. Researchers found intelligent transportation to be a fast growing sector valued at approximately US$48 billion. Results indicate that cities and states with drastically reduced budgets are turning to technology solutions to maximize existing highway capacity.
    Read More
  • Bosch ESP milestone
    April 2, 2012
    Bosch has announced it has manufactured 75 million ESP systems since series production began in 1995 – and in the process made a vital contribution to greater road safety. Especially on slippery roads and when entering a bend too quickly, the electronic stability programme keeps vehicles safely on track. In this way, it prevents skidding accidents, which can often be particularly severe. Summarising the findings of many studies of its effectiveness, Gerhard Steiger, the president of the Bosch Chassis System
    Read More

Highlighted Content