Decrease in number of people killed on Scotland’s roads

Transport Scotland Statisticians today released provisional figures for road casualties in 2023, which showed a drop in the number of people killed on Scotland’s roads compared with 2022, but an overall an increase in the total number of casualties.

One hundred and fifty-five people were killed in reported road collisions in Scotland in 2023, 16 fewer than in 2022. The figures also show that the total number of casualties rose by 3% between 2022 and 2023 (from 5,630 to 5,788), and the number of people seriously injured rose by 9% (from 1,778 to 1,930).

Despite the overall drop in fatalities in 2023, the number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities increased compared with 2022. Pedestrian fatalities increased from 34 to 47 and cycling fatalities increased from 2 to 7.
Road casualties have increased since 2020 and 2021 when Covid-19 pandemic restrictions led to reduced travel. However, they are still at low levels historically. The number of fatalities in 2023 was the fourth lowest on record, with two of the three years with lower figures occurring during the pandemic period (2020 and 2021).

Compared to 2022, there was a fall in reported casualties of 16% for pedal cyclists. However, there was an increase of 6% in car casualties and an increase of 3% in pedestrian casualties.

Scotland’s current Road Safety Framework, contains four national targets for casualty reductions due for delivery in 2030. These targets compare performance to a 2014-2018 baseline.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff free from any political interference, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.