Latest UK road casualty figures again highlight urgent need for renewed focus on road safety
The latest provisional road casualty statistics published by the Department for Transport yesterday (Thursday 28 May) reveal a stark reminder that progress on road safety in Great Britain remains fragile and uneven.
The figures show that in 2025 there were an estimated 1,556 fatalities on Britain’s roads, representing a 3% decrease compared to 2024. However, the number of those killed or seriously injured (KSI) rose to around 29,910 – an increase of 4%, while overall casualties remained broadly unchanged at approximately 127,870.
These figures demonstrate that while marginal improvements in fatalities are welcome, the wider picture continues to present significant concern.
A plateau in progress
Commenting on the figures, Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive Officer of The Road Safety Trust and UKROEd, said: “Each life lost on our roads is one too many, and behind every statistic is a family whose lives have changed forever. While it is encouraging to see a small reduction in fatalities, the increase in serious injuries underlines that we are not making the meaningful progress needed. The overall picture is clear – progress on road safety in the UK has once again plateaued.”
Over the past decade, casualty reductions have slowed significantly despite earlier long-term improvements.
The need for sustained system-wide action
The 2025 provisional data points to a continuation of established trends rather than a step-change in road safety outcomes. Analysts highlight that declines in deaths have been modest year-on-year, while serious injuries have not followed the same downward trajectory.
Ruth added: “These figures reinforce the importance of sustained, coordinated action across enforcement, education, engineering and technology. We must ensure that road safety remains a national priority and that interventions are evidence-led and consistently delivered.”
Focus on prevention and behaviour change
Road safety organisations continue to stress the importance of tackling known risk factors such as speeding, impairment, distraction, and unsafe driving behaviours, alongside improving protection for vulnerable road users.
“We know what works. The challenge is ensuring it is implemented at scale and with urgency. This includes strengthening driver education, supporting police enforcement, and embracing safer vehicle technologies,” Ruth said.
Growing concern over motorcyclists and e-scooters
Motorcyclists remain one of the clearest warning signs in the latest figures. In 2025, motorcycle fatalities rose 13% to 384 – the biggest estimated increase of any main road user group. That is a sharp reminder that riders remain disproportionately exposed to risk.
E-scooters are another growing concern. Provisional figures show 1,484 casualties in 2025, up from 1,390 in 2024, including 10 deaths and 485 serious injuries. As their use grows, so does the need for firm regulation, effective enforcement and clearer public understanding of the risks.
Supporting the UK’s long-term ambition
The latest figures come in the context of renewed policy attention, including the Government’s Road Safety Strategy published in 2026, which aims to significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries over the coming decade.
Ruth added: “Achieving the UK’s long-term ambition of dramatically reducing road deaths will require sustained leadership, investment and collaboration across all sectors. We stand ready to support that effort.”
29 May 2026