Recently-released statistics have shown that as compared with 2022, 2023 saw a reduction in the overall number of deaths on Scotland’s roads.
This is good news.
However, lurking within these statistics, there was, unfortunately, an increase in deaths within the sub-category for vulnerable road users.
Vulnerable road users include motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and pedestrians.
- Motorcycling fatalities rose from 25 to 27;
- Cycling fatalities increased from 2 to 7 (an increase of 250%); and
- Pedestrian deaths were up by 42% (from 32 to 47).
The figures for serious injuries within each of these subcategories also showed an increase as between 2022 and 2023.
The indications are that, for car users, road safety levels continued to improve.
But if you are walking or travelling on two wheels, it is more of a bleak picture.
Given that we are all being encouraged to engage in more active forms of travel (e.g. walking and pedal cycling), the signs are that the Government is going to need to do more to reassure the public that proper safety measures are being put in place (e.g. separated-from-carriageway active travel routes such as currently exist in Moray between Elgin and Lossiemouth, and Forres and Findhorn).
Campaigners will see these latest published statistics as evidence which can be used in support of attempts to get backing for additional active travel routes in Moray, such as the one proposed between Lossiemouth and Hopeman.
It is the Scottish Government’s objective to reduce road casualties by 50% by 2030.
Based on these latest statistics, the Scottish Government needs to inject more investment into measures designed to protect the most vulnerable users of our roads in Scotland.
It will not surprise you to learn that many of our personal injury compensation claim clients have suffered road accidents as vulnerable road users.
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