UK Road Deaths Rise for the First Time Since 2017
In a government report released by the Department for Transport (DfT), it has been revealed that UK road deaths rose for the first time since 2017 in 2022, with 1711 people losing their lives. This increase in fatalities comes as traffic numbers hit pre-pandemic levels, with 328 billion vehicle miles being traveled.
The report highlights that loss of control was the biggest killer, accounting for 417 deaths, followed by a driver failing to look (382), careless, reckless, or hurried driving (373), and a driver breaking the speed limit (337). Additionally, 28,031 people were seriously injured and required hospital treatment as a result of road accidents.
The data also reveals that in 2022, 76% of fatalities and 62% of casualties of all severities were male. This aligns with previous years’ statistics and raises concerns about road safety for men.
Comparing these figures to those of 2019, there was a slight decrease of 2% in deaths (1752 in 2019) and a 3% decrease in serious injuries (30,144 in 2019). However, it is important to note that traffic numbers in 2022 reached pre-pandemic levels for the first time, with 328 billion vehicle miles being traveled.
Despite the increase in deaths and serious injuries compared to the previous year, which saw a three-month Covid lockdown at the start of 2021, the UK still ranks among the countries with the least deaths per million citizens globally. With 26 deaths per million, the UK is surpassed only by Norway (21), Sweden (22), and Iceland (23). The United States tops the list with 127 deaths per million.
Analyzing the types of accidents, car occupants were involved in the most accidents in 2022, accounting for 74,379 casualties, including 788 fatalities (a 7% increase from 2019). Motorcyclist casualties also increased by 4% to 16,943, with 350 deaths. On the other hand, pedestrian deaths decreased by 18% to 788, and cyclist deaths decreased to 91, with casualties down by 11% to 15,693.
The report also provides insights into where these incidents took place. Out of the total 135,480 casualties in 2022, 5309 (including 100 deaths) occurred on motorways, 44,389 (including 1018 deaths) on rural roads, and 85,760 (including 593 deaths) on urban roads.
In response to these figures, RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis has called on the government to intensify efforts to tackle preventable deaths caused by distractions or speeding. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to improving road safety in the UK and suggests reintroducing casualty-reduction targets that were scrapped in 2010.
The rise in UK road deaths in 2022 is a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring road safety. While statistically the UK has some of the safest roads in Europe, there is still much work to be done to prevent unnecessary loss of life. It is crucial for the government to prioritize road safety and implement effective measures to address the underlying causes of accidents. By doing so, we can strive towards reducing road fatalities and creating a safer environment for all road users.