More than 2,000 people killed or seriously injured on roads in Scotland in 2023

More than 2,000 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in Scotland last year, according to new figures released on Monday.

Figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show the highest number of road accidents took place in the Glasgow City council area, with 240 people losing their life or sustaining serious injury in 2023 – up 3.9% on the previous year.

The Shetland Islands saw the biggest percentage increase in road casualties – rising from four in 2022 to 11 in 2023, an increase of 175%.

Road casualties remained the same in Moray, the Orkney Islands and Renfrewshire, while East Dunbartonshire saw a notable decrease.

In total, there were 2,084 victims of road traffic accidents across Scotland, up 7% since 2022.

The national road safety charity Brake is calling on the UK Government to support a new Road Victims’ Charter that demands essential action for road victims.

Written in collaboration with bereaved families, trauma consultants, and medical and legal professionals, the charter will also call for the rights of crime victims – as set out in the Victims’ Code – to be extended to those impacted by road harm.

Ross Moorlock, chief executive at Brake, said: “Road casualties are not just statistics. Behind every number is a grief-stricken family whose lives have been changed forever in an instant.

“The demand on our service continues to grow as road deaths and injuries show no sign of reducing. Every year, more families suffer the devastating impact of a road crash. Every year, more and more families come to us in their darkest and most difficult times.

“Road victims have been the forgotten and neglected victims for far too long and that has to change.

“Our families have told us what they want and what they need – and that includes recognition of the trauma of sudden road death and injury, parity with other victim groups, sentencing to fit the crime and lessons learned to prevent future road death and injury.”

Brake has also published the results of a public opinion survey carried out in April 2024, revealing that 79% of people surveyed agree or strongly agree that families bereaved or seriously injured from a road crash should be able to access the same level of support as homicide victims.

A further 74% agree that they should be able to access the same level of support as victims of terrorism.

More than 34,300 educators, employers, emergency services and others have signed up to take part in Road Safety Week 2024, together representing more than four million people.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. As always, my first thoughts are with the families and friends who have tragically lost a loved one, and those whose lives are changed forever.

“Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and its partners and we remain absolutely committed to working together to reach our ambitious goals. However, despite our best efforts, I am aware of the challenges we face in meeting casualty reduction targets for 2024 and that the number of fatal casualties for 2024 is tracking 26% above the same period last year.

“That is why a record £36m is being invested this financial year to deliver a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving driver behaviour and ultimately reducing the number of casualties on our roads.

“This includes campaigns to encourage a change in behaviours regarding speeding and seat belt use, funding to help local authorities enhance road safety performance on local roads and advancing the use of technology to tackle issues around driver distraction.

“We will also roll out training around the Safe System approach to road safety for our key operational partners and stakeholders, as well as carry out a public consultation to explore views on potential changes to national speed limits on Scotland’s roads.

“I want to restate the Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to achieving its goal of making Scotland’s roads amongst the safest in the world by 2030. This comprehensive package of measures over the coming financial year is aimed at helping to deliver this.”