Insurance brokers and companies may be concerned to read new data recently released by the Department for Transport (DfT) which revels a concerning increase in road fatalities across the UK.
The most recent report from the DfT shows nearly a 9% rise in 2022 compared to the previous year. However, these statistics align more closely with the figures reported in 2019, before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The provisional data for 2022 indicates that the total number of fatalities rose by over 1500 in 2021 to 1,695 in 2022. Additionally, the report highlights that 75% of all deaths on British roads were attributable to men.
The DfT’s provisional data also reveals that the number of car occupants who lost their lives in Britain increased by 99, resulting in a total of 781 deaths reported to the police.
Further analysis of the report indicates a 44% increase in motorcyclist deaths, reaching a total of 354. Pedestrian deaths caused by road incidents rose by 15 to reach 376 in 2022.
The number of deaths involving e-scooters slightly increased compared to the previous year.
In contrast, cyclists were the only group to witness a decline in road fatalities in 2022, with a total of 85 deaths, 26 fewer than in 2021.
Although, the report also highlights a significant increase in the number of cyclists seriously injured on the roads, with 5,602 reports, a rise of 500 compared to previous years.
In response to these alarming statistics, the DfT expressed its unwavering commitment to enhancing road safety for all individuals.
One spokeswoman for the DfT said: “We welcome a continued decrease in road casualties compared with 2019 levels, and work tirelessly to improve road safety for all, including through our Think! campaign, updating the Highway Code to protect the most vulnerable road users, and recent funding of £47.5 million towards improving the 27 most dangerous roads in England through the Safer Roads Fund.”
While Rebecca Guy, from safety charity RoSPA, commented: “Shockingly, of all fatalities in 2022, 75% of fatalities were male. When examining data on motorcyclist casualties, we can see there has been a year-on-year increase since 2019 of 5%.”
“That will, in part, be due to the pandemic – but could also be related to the vast number of people joining the gig economy to supplement their income.”
“At RoSPA, we would like to see road casualty data published as frequently as possible to allow us and the Government to analyse trends and risk factors faster, so that we can save more lives and prevent tragedies from happening.”
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While the lack of progress in reducing overall casualty numbers over the years is concerning, the figures for the number of men, particularly young men, losing their lives on British roads are particularly stark.
Despite the increase in road deaths and accidents compared to 2020 and 2021, the statistics demonstrate a slight improvement when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Reported private and motor trade road collisions in Great Britain in 2022 resulted in an estimated 1,695 fatalities, representing a 3% decline compared to 2019.
Furthermore, 29,795 people were reportedly killed or seriously injured, which indicates a 3% decrease compared to 2019.
Finally, a total of 136,002 casualties of all severities were recorded, demonstrating an 11% decline compared to 2019. Road safety charities, insurance providers and many other organisations will be monitoring these figures closely when next released.
