The latest government statistics show there were 1,711 road traffic fatalities in 2022 – an average of almost five deaths per day.
While it is a year-on-year increase of 10% compared to 2021, it’s fairer to compare the data with 2019, the most recent set of statistics unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Using that metric, it’s actually a 2% decrease in annual fatalities.
There were also 29,742 people killed or seriously injured (KSI), a decline of 3% compared to 2019, and 135,480 casualties of all severities, a decline of 12%.
While it is encouraging that road traffic deaths and injuries have declined, the country’s roads are still a dangerous place.
Organised by the charity Brake, Road Safety Week runs this year from November 19-25, with a focus on speed.
Road Safety Week is a cause close to our hearts. Our personal injury team has daily contact with people who have suffered life-changing injuries because of the actions of other road users.
"Our team sees all too often the devastating impact road traffic accidents can have on people and their loved ones. We work alongside people who have suffered serious injuries that aren’t their fault to help them receive the rehabilitation and compensation they need to make the best of their individual situations, but for some people, life will never be the same again.
“Many incidents can be avoided simply by slowing down, so Brake is absolutely right to make speed the focus of this year’s campaign.
“I just hope, particularly with winter weather around the corner, people take heed and drive more appropriately for the conditions of the road."
Andy Shaw
Head of Personal Injury, Higgs LLP
The South East had the highest number of fatalities in 2022 with 249, up from 214 in 2019. In fact, the South East is just one of four areas in the country where fatalities increased over the period. The region has long had a terrible record for traffic accidents, with some of the most dangerous roads in the country being in the area.
Fatalities rose 9% from 150 to 163 in the West Midlands, 13% in East of England and 5% from 165 to 173 in Scotland.
London still has high fatality rates with 103 deaths in 2022 – but the capital saw the biggest decline, down more than 17% from 125 in 2019. While fantastic news, it can be partly attributed to a decrease in traffic in London. In 2019 there were 10.6 billion miles travelled on A roads in London, compared with 9.9 billion miles in 2022.
The North East already held the lowest record for fatalities – but the region’s stats improved still further, with deaths dropping 28% to 54.
It is a similar picture when serious collisions are taken into account alongside fatal accidents. This figure dropped below 30,000 to 29,742, with most regions in the UK showing signs of improvement.
Scotland saw the biggest decline in fatal or serious collisions, with 25% fewer in 2022 than in 2019 – but, to put into context, the 173 deaths on Scottish roads was the highest since 2016.
Wales also saw a 13% decrease from 1,533 to 1,336, while the number of fatal or serious collisions in the North East fell below 1,000.
Yorkshire and The Humber saw the highest rise of 7% when serious collisions are accounted alongside fatalities - but the same region recorded a decline of 13% in deaths.
In total, there were 135,480 casualties of all severities in Great Britain, a decline of 12% compared to 2019.
Encouragingly, every single region had fewer casualties in 2022 than in 2019.
Scotland, again, leads the way with a 26% decrease, followed by Wales (-23%) and the West Midlands (-19%).
Speed remains a significant contributory factor in fatal and serious road accidents. In 2022, exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 273 fatalities on the roads, compared with 215 in 2019.
That means almost 16% of fatalities in 2022 were caused, at least in part, by people driving over the speed limit.
Travelling too fast for the conditions was a contributory factor in 78 deaths in 2022, compared with 99 in 2019.
These stark stats show why it is so important that this year’s Road Safety Week is focussing on speed.
Exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 4,014 collisions involving cars – a 10% increase on 2019.
There was a more than 104% increase on the number of collisions involving cyclists when exceeding the speed limit – though numbers are still small – from 23 to 47.
Collisions involving motorcycles travelling too fast also increased from 830 to 881, while heavy goods vehicles travelling over the legal speed limit were involved in just 23 collisions, down from 30.
Exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 4,014 collisions involving cars – a 10% increase on 2019.
There was a more than 104% increase on the number of collisions involving cyclists when exceeding the speed limit – though numbers are still small – from 23 to 47.
Collisions involving motorcycles travelling too fast also increased from 830 to 881, while heavy goods vehicles travelling over the legal speed limit were involved in just 23 collisions, down from 30.
