Scottish road casualties rise again as traffic hits pre-pandemic levels
The numbers killed or injured were higher in 2022
Last updated 25th Oct 2023
Road casualties in Scotland are increasing again after reaching a low point during the pandemic, with a 10 percent increase in 2022 compared to the previous year.
There were 5,621 road casualties reported in 2022, which is 506 higher than 202 in the statistics published by Transport Scotland.
Looked at over a longer period of a decade, however, it represents a decrease of 51% on the figures recorded in 2013.
The last year has also seen a bounce back in commuting and leisure travel on the roads with the Department of Transport estimating there was a 9% increase in motor traffic volumes in 2022, which is almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
More deaths in cars
The number of people killed rose by 32, from 141 in 2021 to 173 in 2023, which is an almost identical figure to that recorded a decade ago.
However, the number killed in incidents involving cars almost doubled, from 55 to 101
READ MORE: Deadliest year on the roads since 2016
1,776 people were seriously injured and there were 587 child casualties reported in 2022, representing 10% of all casualties.
A local breakdown of the figures shows deaths and serious injuries in East Dunbartonshire increased by 64% year-on-year from 14 to 23.
The figure for North Lanarkshire was up 48% from 52 to 77.
Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“One death on our roads is simply one too many. My thoughts are with the families and friends who have tragically lost a loved one, and those whose lives are changed forever.
“We do not accept that road casualties are inevitable and are determined to do everything we can to ensure these numbers come down as we work towards our long term target of no one being seriously injured or killed on our roads by 2050.
"That is why the Scottish Government is investing more than £31 million pounds on road safety this financial year to support projects such as our Trunk Road Casualty Reduction Programme, the Road Safety Improvement Fund, our Safety Camera Programme and the expansion of 20 mph areas in communities across Scotland.
“It’s also important we continue to invest in active travel to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and safer across the country.
“Road safety remains an absolute priority for this government and we are determined to continue working towards our goal of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.”