New official statistics estimate there were 1,645 road fatalities in 2023, a decline of 4% compared to 2022.
The provisional data, published by the DfT on 30 May, also shows there were 132,063 casualties of all severities, a year-on-year decline of 3%.
There were 29,643 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties, little change compared to 2022.
In terms of different road user types, there were reductions in fatalities among car occupants, motorcyclists and cyclists.
At 12%, the biggest percentage change compared to 2022 was for motorcyclists. Car occupant fatalities fell by 5%, and cyclists 7%.
There was however a rise in the number of pedestrian fatalities – up by 6%.
The RAC has highlighted concern over this rise, particularly given the context of changes to the Highway Code, designed to improve safety for pedestrians, which came into effect two years ago.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “While there has been a slight decline in the year-on-year number of road users killed in crashes, the larger proportion of pedestrian fatalities should be a red flag to the Government signifying just how dangerous our roads still are.
“It’s extremely concerning that these figures have risen in the two years since the Highway Code was changed with a view to making the roads safer for the most vulnerable users.
“We hope there isn’t a negative link between the two, but with RAC research showing a third of drivers think pedestrians now face greater danger at junctions due to the changes, there seem to be questions that need answering.”
Other analysis of the provisional 2023 data shows:
- 75% of fatalities and 61% of casualties of all severities were male
- 4% of fatalities and 10% of casualties were aged 16 years old and under
- 24% of fatalities and 29% of casualties were aged 17 to 29 years old
- 23% of fatalities and 8% of casualties were aged 70 years old and over
The provisional estimates are based on data supplied by police forces by May 2024. A small amount of missing data has been estimated. Figures will change following updates from the police and the end of year validation process.
This is likely to be published in September 2024.
Road deaths for VRU in Scotland are not down – far from it!
Plus we have a scandalous failure to remove the damaged street furniture, ban the left turn for the large vehicles where drivers cannot turn the corner without driving through traffic in the nearside lane – over 5 YEARS since this crash, and a second young woman died in near identical way on same route 3½ years later
We seriously need to sort this out with road danger reduction with competent professional risk auditors employed on this work
Some locations literally scream the potential for a fatal crash, with features like substandard lane widths that a driver of any large vehicle cannot keep within the space provided – every lane approaching Holborn’s deadly gyratory was barely wider than a truck or bus over mirrors
H, Glasgow
+2
With KSI figures little changed maybe best not to read too much into these single year values.
Paul Luton, London
+6