Number of UK road victims falls to 'all-time low'

The number of people killed on Britain's roads last year fell to an all-time low, it was announced today.

Child casualties were also well down, but the number of pedal cyclists killed rose by 10% to the highest level for six years.

A total of 3,201 people were killed in road accidents in Britain in 2005 - 1% fewer than in 2004 and the lowest total since records began in 1926, figures published by the Department for Transport showed.

Total deaths and serious injuries last year reached 32,155 - 6% down on the 2004 figure.

Child casualties fell by 9%. A total of 141 children died on the roads last year - 15% fewer than in 2004.

Pedestrian casualties in 2005 totalled 32,281 - 5% fewer than in 2004. There were 671 pedestrian deaths last year - the same as in 2004. Serious injuries fell by 5% to 6,458.

The number of pedal cyclists killed rose by 10% to 148 in 2005 - the highest level since 1999. The number of seriously injured rose by 2% to 2,212. Total casualties among pedal cyclists, including those slightly injured, fell by 1% in 2005 to 16,561.

There were 24,824 two-wheeled motor vehicle user casualties in 2005 - 3% fewer than in 2004. The number of 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 - close to the 1,671 figure for 2004.

The number of car users seriously injured fell 11% to 12,942. Total casualties among car users reached 178,302 - 3% lower 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 accidents involved death or serious injury.

Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: "It is disappointing that the rate of casualty reduction seems to have stalled. New thinking is needed to improve driving standards, pedestrian education and poor road and junction design.

"Campaigns aimed at children and motorcyclists seem to have paid off. Perhaps we now need to also focus on improving cycle safety and encourage car manufacturers to prioritise pedestrian safety as well as occupant protection."

source: 24dash.com (Last Updated: Friday, 29th June, 2006)

View more articles in our news archive >>