Casualty Statistics

2023

KC presented motorcycle casualty data from the Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2023 publication. 

• Motorcyclists are disproportionately likely to be injured or killed on our roads. Over the five years up to 2023, motorcyclists accounted for 16% of fatalities, but less than 1% of traffic.
• In 2023 there were 26 motorcycle fatalities which is a similar level to 30 years ago, whereas other road users have seen a decreasing trend in the same time frame.
• We are currently on track to achieve our 30% reduction in motorcyclist KSIs by 2030, however, there has been a gradual increase since 2020, outlining potential risk in meeting this target.
• There were 473 casualties in 2023, 90% were male and the most common age range was 20-29.
• Motorcycle casualties are more likely to occur in the summer months and weekends. Collisions often occur in 60 mph A class road and 76% of the collisions were on non-trunk roads.
• Loss of control, careless, reckless or in a hurry and failure to look properly, were the most common contributory factors assigned to motorcyclists involved in motorcycle injury collisions in 2023.
• Failure to look properly, careless, reckless or in a hurry or failure to judge others' path/speed, were the most common contributory factors for ‘other vehicles involved’ in motorcycle injury collisions in 2023.
• In around a third of motorcycle injury collisions, the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved.

KC has been working with Justice colleagues to investigate the link between motorcycle fatalities and criminality/ illegal activity. In 2023, for all collisions involving a motorcycle, there was 1 instance where ‘stolen vehicle’ was noted as a contributory factor and 1 where ‘vehicle in course of crime’. Police Scotland data would be required for a more in-depth analysis.

RM made note of a discrepancy on reported figures from last year between the statistics presented and Police Scotland figures. While it was noted that TS use calendar year and Police Scotland use Fiscal year, TS Stats will look into this.

2024

The latest management information data was provided on motorcycle fatalities year to date, highlighting that Police Scotland is continuing to monitor the analytical data to identify trends in activity and investigate how they can be prevented. Police Scotland continue to work with TS on emerging trends.

Issue with training and licencing was highlighted as the younger population are over represented in fatalities. Members also requested stats on make and model of bikes involved in collisions.