New research suggests that road deaths rose over the course of 2021, prompting calls for the Government to do more in protecting road-users…
Rising Road Fatalities
New figures have revealed that, after a 2020 lull, road fatalities in the UK are once again on the rise. There were reportedly some 1,560 road deaths in 2021, with the total of number of casualties reaching 127,967 – having risen by 11%. Serious injuries also rose by 14%, to 27,539. E-scooter collisions have also risen year-on-year.
Notably, however, all of the figures are down from the 2017 to 2019 average. Cyclist fatalities have also declined by a fifth since 2020. Nevertheless, the rising figures have alarmed road charities and motoring organisations; both of which want the Government to take action sooner rather than later.
A ‘Huge Level of Concern’
Nicholas Lyes, the RAC’s Head of Roads Policy, commented on the new figures and called for new safety targets. He said, “summer 2021 in particular appears to show an above-average number of fatalities on our roads. RAC research suggests there is a huge level of concern among drivers about the standard of driving on our roads, so we urge the Government to consider re-introducing road safety targets”.
He continued, “they should also look at whether the long-term decline in full-time road traffic police officers has led to a worsening in driver behaviour and an increase in casualties as a result. We also once again call on the Government to look at how camera-based technology could support the police in enforcing the ban on handheld mobile phone use while driving”.
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