Skip advert
Advertisement

British road deaths remain at a consistent level

There were 1,558 reported fatalities on British roads in 2021, with the statistical rate of deaths remaining broadly stable

Accident boards to stop rubbernecking

A total of 1,558 people lost their lives on British roads in 2021, leading to concerns that sufficient progress is not being made in reducing fatalities.

There were seven per cent more deaths last year than in 2020, although traffic levels in 2021 were not affected in the same way by Covid lockdowns. The figure for 2021 actually represents an 11-per-cent decrease in deaths compared with 2019.

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, 2021 crucially saw a rate of 5.2 fatalities per billion vehicle miles. This is a higher rate than in 2019, albeit a lower one than in 2020.

With these figures remaining broadly stable, there is concern that more needs to be done to significantly reduce British road deaths. RAC road safety spokesperson Simon Williams said: “While the overall number of road deaths is down on pre-pandemic levels, the fatality rate per billion miles driven has increased suggesting little progress is being made in making our roads safer.

“We urge the Government to publish its updated road safety plan which focuses on both improving car safety – including mandating technology such as intelligent speed assist in new cars – as well as measures to tackle poor driving standards and illegal behaviour behind the wheel.”

The 2021 casualty rate for people killed or seriously injured on British roads was similar to that of 2019, while the rate of casualties of all severities was lower.

Additionally, 2021 saw a 193-per-cent increase in collisions involving e-scooters as trials of the vehicles were rolled out across the country, while many people continued to illegally use privately-owned ones on the public highway.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, commented: “The wider introduction of micromobility into the national transport picture must look at how we can adopt new and emerging personal mobility tech without compromising the safety of all road users, including pedestrians.”

Speaking about the wider road safety picture, he added: “Great Britain has some of the world’s safest roads, making it to number six in the world league, but the ambition needs for it to be the leader in reducing and eliminating road traffic fatalities. With a new Ministerial transport team, we strongly urge the new Secretary of State to put road safety front and centre of her priorities.”

Not convinced? Check out our list of the safest cars on sale...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates
Speed camera van window
News

‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates

New guidance from Magistrates’ Association calls for reform and aims to expose ‘secret’ Single Justice Procedure system
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024
Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging
Polestar 2 and LEVC TX connected to Sainsburys EV chargers
News

Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging

A survey by Zap-Map and the RAC reveals only 13% of supermarkets are equipped with EV chargers, despite a 59% increase in the past year
22 Mar 2024
Mis-sold car finance scandal: could you be due compensation?
Missold car finance
News

Mis-sold car finance scandal: could you be due compensation?

Did you buy a car on finance between April 2007 and January 2021? You could be owed thousands!
21 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024