Deaths on Suffolk roads up by over a quarter, say road safety charity

Figures from BRAKE shows that fatal or serious collisions caused by speeding jumped by 20% over this period, across the UK

Published 20th Nov 2023

The number of people being killed on roads in Suffolk has increased by 5% between 2021 and last year, according to a road safety charity.

Figures from BRAKE shows that fatal or serious collisions caused by speeding jumped by 20% over this period, across the UK.

What does their data show for the East of England?

Number of people killed, (2021): 164

Number of people killed, (2022): 206

Percentage change: 26%

Number of people killed or seriously injured (2021): 2,551

Number of people killed or seriously injured (2022): 2,829

Percentage change: 11%

Contributory factor reported in collision:

Exceeding speed limit

Number of people killed (2021): 253

Number of people killed (2022): 303

Percentage change: 20%

Exceeding speed limit or travelling too fast for road conditions:

Number of people killed (2021): 339

Number of people killed (2022): 388

Percentage change: 14%

"Start taking responsibility for each other’s safety on the road"

Ross Moorlock, interim CEO at Brake, said:

“Road death is sudden. It's traumatic. It sends shockwaves across families, schools, workplaces and communities. This year, we have already supported more than 1500 people affected by road crashes through our National Road Victim Service.

“Today, five people will be killed on our roads. And tomorrow, another five won’t make it home to their families. And so on, and so on, until we all say 'Enough!’ and start taking responsibility for each other’s safety on the road.

"Speed dictates whether we can stop in time to avoid a crash"

“The speed we choose to drive at can mean the difference between life and death. Our speed dictates whether we can stop in time to avoid a crash, and the force of impact if we can't stop.

"This Road Safety Week, whoever you are, and however you travel, I urge you to join the conversation and talk about speed. Please talk to as many people as you can to find out why, when five people die on our roads every day, so many of us still choose to drive too fast.”

Road Safety Week 2023 is organised by Brake, sponsored by Arval UK, Autoglass and DHL Supply Chain, and supports the Department for Transport’s Think! campaign.

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