Scotland’s road death total hits new low

The seventh successive annual reduction was achieved by pedestrian deaths being cut by nearly two-thirds from 60 to 37, having increased from 43 in 2011. By contrast, the number of people killed in cars went up by 20 per cent in 2013, or by 15 to 89 – the first rise for seven years.

Motorcyclist deaths were up by 10 per cent, from 21 to 23, while deaths among cyclists increased by 44 per cent, from nine to 13. The total killed in buses and coaches went up from one to two, while lorry deaths were down from 13 to five.

There were three deaths on other forms of transport compared to none in 2012.

The number of children killed increased from two to nine – five pedestrians, two cyclists and two car passengers.

However, officials yesterday downplayed the significance of the rise because the numbers were small and fluctuated from year to year.

Total casualties fell among all types of road user, with serious injuries down by 315 to 1,667 and slight injuries cut by 908 to 9,654.

The Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency said its figures were different from those published by Police Scotland last week because the force’s covered the year to March. These showed an overall increase in road deaths of 24, to 191.

Transport Scotland also said the statistics had not been through the same “quality assurance processes” as its figures.

Neil Greig, the Scotland-based policy and research director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “It’s good news that overall trends are still down, but the increase in specific casualty groups is a worry.

“What is clear is that one year after Police Scotland’s high- profile approach to traffic law enforcement, we have not seen substantial falls in deaths among drivers and motorcyclists.

“Given the substantial reorganisation undergone in the police, it is still far too early to say this approach has failed.”

Kim Harding, a founder of Pedal on Parliament, the annual cycle safety lobby on MSPs, said: “We have seen a increase in cycling fatalities without any significant increased cycling modal share.

“Likewise, the apparent drop in pedestrian fatalities should be looked at in the light of the continuing decline in the distance which people walk.

“When adjusted for distance travelled, Scotland has one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatality in Europe. This is particularly acute for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

“To suggest the roads are becoming safer is at best misleading. The Scottish Government’s approach to road safety is not working.”

Transport minister Keith Brown said: “I welcome the continuation of the overall downward trend in Scotland’s road casualty figures.

“However, I would strongly reiterate what I have said previously – every life lost is one too many. Over the longer term, we have been making good progress towards meeting our road casualty reduction targets, but we know we will always have to maintain the same level of effective road safety intervention work across Scotland if we are to continue this progress.

“Working with our partners, we must continue to ensure that everyone plays their part to make our roads safer.

“We have achieved a lot, but there is still much to do, particularly in respect of safety issues for vulnerable road users.”