The Road Safety Trust responds to latest casualty figures
New road casualty data published by the Department for Transport indicates that progress on reducing deaths and serious injuries continues to stall.
The figures show that the number of reported killed or seriously injured (KSI) road casualties in Great Britain was 29,918 in 2025, an increase of 3% compared with the 2022 to 2024 baseline average of 28,925.
While a reduction of 4% in year-on-year fatalities is welcome (1,538 road deaths compared to 1,602 fatalities in 2024), vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists) remain alarmingly over-represented in the statistics – accounting for more than half of those killed and seriously injured on our roads.
The number of children (under 16) killed or injured has also risen, with 2,432 reported in 2025 compared to the 2022-24 baseline average of 2,353, while fatal four factors (speeding, non-seatbelt use, technology distraction, and drink and drug-driving) were attributed to nearly two-thirds of fatal collisions in 2025.
Responding to the news, Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust and UKROEd, said: “While marginal improvements in fatalities are welcome, the overall picture is one of stagnation, and I am concerned that we are not making the meaningful progress required to reduce the number of those killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“It is troubling that motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists account for more than half of road-related deaths last year. The Trust is investing in some excellent research projects and interventions which will help to support these groups, but we must do more to protect our most vulnerable road users.
"While it is encouraging to see continued efforts to improve road safety, I remain concerned that the Fatal Four offences continue to be a contributory factor in too many fatal collisions. The positive message is that these risks are largely preventable. Through continued education, targeted enforcement and raising awareness of the consequences of dangerous driving behaviours, we have a real opportunity to reduce these tragedies and save lives. This must remain a shared priority for all those committed to making our roads safer.
“The Government has set a target of a 65% reduction in people killed or seriously injured on our roads, and a 70% reduction in child KSIs, by 2035. These latest figures should be stark reminder to us all that there remains much for us all to do if we are to achieve our collective ambition.”
30 July 2026