Road fatalities in Scotland tumble to 60-year low

Published on Monday 20 June 2011 17:53

THE number of people killed on Scotland's roads has dropped to the lowest level since records began more than 60 years ago.

Last year, 208 people were killed in road accidents, the smallest figure since 1950 and down from a peak of 815 in 1970.

The total number of casualties, including those with slight injuries, is estimated at 13,324 - the lowest number since 1938 and continuing a downward trend since 1998.

Chief Constable Kevin Smith, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said tougher legislation on seatbelt offences and a reduction in the drink-drive limit would help to further cut the number of deaths and injuries.

The provisional figures for 2010, released by the Scottish Government, also showed reductions in the number of casualties among children, motorcyclists, pedestrians and pedal cyclists. However, there were 538 bus and coach casualties last year, 14 per cent higher than in 2009.

Transport minister Keith Brown welcomed the overall drop and said further work will address the level of casualties in the 16-22 age group, which accounted for 19 per cent of the total.

The figures showed Scotland exceeded three British targets to reduce casualties.

Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Scotland, said: "It is a significant achievement for Scotland to have reduced road casualties further than the targets set in 2000. However, it is always difficult to truly celebrate success like this when so many families are still enduring the devastation of loved ones being killed or seriously injured on our roads."