Provisional estimates show there were 1,695 road deaths in Great Britain during 2022, a year-on-year rise of 9%.
The stats were published today (24 May) by the DfT, who says the number of casualties ‘have begun to normalise’ after the Covid-impacted years of 2020 and 2021.
In comparison to 2019, the last year unaffected by the pandemic, the 2022 fatality figure is down 3%.
Despite this, the RAC says the figures “make for gloomy reading” – and has urged the Government to “take a serious look” at reintroducing casualty targets.
As has been widely reported over the last few years, casualty statistics have been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with lockdown periods leading to a reduction in traffic on the roads.
As 2021 had a lockdown, it is perhaps no surprise that 2022 has seen an increase in not only fatalities, but also KSIs and the total number of casualties.
At 29,795, the number of KSIs rose by 9%, while the overall casualty figure increased by 6% to 136,002.
Both of the 2022 figures are however lower than 2019 – KSIs are down by 3% and casualties of all severities by 11%.
In 2022, 75% of fatalities and 62% of casualties of all severities were male
RAC calls for reintroduction of casualty targets
Reacting to the figures, the RAC calls the long-term lack of progress “a cause for concern”.
It wants to see casualty targets reintroduced to “give the whole topic much more focus on a national stage”.
Rod Dennis, RAC spokesman, said: “There’s no doubt these figures make for gloomy reading – after a reduction in fatalities on our roads during the coronavirus lockdowns, the numbers are now rising again.
“And, while the lack of progress over many years in bringing overall casualty numbers down is itself a cause for concern, the figures for the number of men – of all age groups, but especially the young – who are killed on our roads is stark.
“Every person killed is one person too many and we feel improving road safety needs to be given the attention and resources it deserves.
“We urge the Government to take a serious look at reintroducing casualty reductions targets to give the whole topic much more focus on a national stage.”
Sonya Hurt, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “Every road death or serious injury is a tragedy.
“Therefore, these figures serve as a timely reminder of the importance of working together to improve road safety and save lives.’’
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