15 more people killed on Scotland's roads in 2018

Despite a 10 per cent drop in the total number of crashes where people were injured or killed, there was a rise in the number of deaths in road accidents across Scotland; from 145 in 2017 to 160 in 2018, according to recent statistics.

Between 2017 and 2018, the latest Transport Scotland data revealed there was an 11 per cent drop in the total number of casualties (from 9,433 to 8,402); the lowest casualty figure since records began. The number of people seriously injured also decreased one per cent; from 1,593 to 1,581.

Child Injuries and Casualties

There were 756 child casualties in reported road accidents in 2018, a 16 per cent decrease on the previous year’s data (901). This included three fatalities (one more than recorded in 2017), and 142 seriously injured children (down from 152). Casualties aged five or under fell by five per cent in 2018, from 136 to 129.

Cycling Accident Claims Legal Advice, Scotland

The number of pedal cyclists killed went from seven in 2016/17 to six in 2017/18, while the number of cyclists seriously injured also dropped from 171 to 156 in the same period. In total, there was a 12 per cent drop in the number of pedal cycle casualties in 2018 than in 2017.

640 motorcycle casualties occurred in 2018, 20 more (or three per cent higher) than 2017. This figure included 33 motorcyclists who were killed (four more than in 2017).

2018 saw 1,250 pedestrian casualties; with five fewer pedestrian fatalities (from 38 to 33) and 17 less seriously injured pedestrians compared with the previous year (from 379 to 362).

There were more than 5,000 car user casualties – an 11 per cent jump on the previous year – including 75 car user fatalities.

Male fatalities rose by 14 per cent to 109, while female deaths increased four per cent to 51.

Following successful schemes on the A9 and A77, Michael Matheson, Scotland’s Transport Secretary, vows to launch more average speed cameras across Scotland to improve ‘driver behaviour and speed compliance’. Matheson concluded:

“I am determined to continue our pursuit of Vision Zero, which is the ultimate vision set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, and continue to work with partners to create the conditions where no-one is killed on our roads.”

Contact our Personal Injury Claims Lawyers, Scotland

If you have been injured on the roads in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow or the surrounding areas, get in touch with Lawford Kidd's Road Traffic Accident Solicitors today by completing the online enquiry form.