The Department for Transport (DfT) Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2019 annual report, shows that last year, 1,752 people were killed on Great Britain’s roads compared to 1,784 in 2018 – a reduction of just 2%.
This number is similar to the level seen since 2012, which followed a period of substantial reduction in fatalities from 2006 to 2010.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has said it is concerned by the new figures, which show little progress towards reducing accidents on Britain’s roads. It says it is particularly worrying as we approach the autumn clock change, which typically sees a 20% increase in road traffic collisions in the fortnight after putting the clocks back.
Michelle Harrington, road safety manager at RoSPA, said: “We are deeply concerned about the lack of progress made towards reducing the number of road accidents and deaths since 2010. We cannot afford for the 2020s to be another lost decade. We hope that the recent UK Government traffic policing consultation will provide an opportunity for a refocus on making our roads safer for all.”
The DfT figures also show that the number of over-60s killed on Britain’s roads last year had jumped to 638, from 588 in 2018 – an increase of 9%. The number of people aged over-60 killed on our roads has been rising since 2010.
Michelle added: “RoSPA is also alarmed by the increase in serious and fatal road casualties among the over-60s. We know that 196 of the over-60s killed in Britain’s road last year were behind the wheel at the time of the collision. If you are starting to notice any changes in your driving or are concerned about someone else then we would encourage you to seek support. ”
RoSPA has a dedicated website, www.olderdrivers.org.uk, which provides advice for experienced drivers including details of how to access further training.
4 thoughts on “1,752 people killed on Britain’s roads last year”
Not sure why the report is mainly focused on over 60’s? And just because they died, it doesn’t mean it was their fault.
On an average 2 hour driving lesson, I see around 8 people using their phones. Normally texting. The worst being young girls and drivers of builders vans. This coupled with the amount of young drug drivers and lack of any police at all, is the reason the death rate is not coming down. In my opinion, at least 30% of the people on the road don’t deserve to be there and I am not talking about your over 60’s, just because they are a bit slow. I’m talking about the ones with no respect for the law. Driving is a privilege, it is time to take it away from the ones that don’t deserve it.
Also has anyone considered that people are living longer generally so there are more over 60s on the road so there’s bound to be more involved in accidents
All of the motoring groups are, as usual, indulging in massed hand wringing and continue to try to find excuses while bleating about education.
Very simply, people are not prepared to spend money on education they perceive they do not need. That they are wrong is neither here nor there,. We are talking about their money and how they spend it.
Come 70, the driver must apply for a new licence. This is one of the most pointless exercises in form filling known to man. Why? Because nothing is checked. There is no obligatory eye sight or medical test, so the applicant can claim perfect health, even if they know that they are not in good health. Nobody wants to hang up their keys. Cars are just too convenient and useful.
Then we must look at existing drivers. As a fleet trainer, I reckon that around 10% of those people that I meet would pass the learner’s test. Which means that 90% are sub standard. So why is there no move to introduce regular re-testing? A forklift driver, working in a controlled, highly disciplined, must not only re-qualify every five years but must complete the entire course. This does seem over kill. Drivers, though, pass the test at 17 and providing they are not caught, nobody bothers them until they die. This is completely nuts and the figures prove the point.
Fatalities have come as low as they are going to go. The figures have pretty much flat lined since 2011. Therefore, one can only assume that in the government’s eyes, this is an acceptable casualty count and therefore satisfactory, if not exactly ideal.
Existing drivers need re-testing at photo card or licence renewal to ensure that standards, low as they are, are maintained. Those drivers who are not fit and proper to hold a licence must have it revoked in perpetuity and if caught driving, jailed for a good long time. I would suggest that 3 drink/drug convictions in 5 years or 4 in ten would result in a lifetime ban. Those caught driving while disqualified should face automatic jail time for the remainder of their ban plus any subsequent ban.
This would serve to clear some of the most prolific offenders from our streets and thus protect the general public. I am not worried about the offenders because they are certainly not worried about me. If they are locked up, they canot offend. It is as simple as that.
So my message to all the road safety mob is very simple. Stop whining about the horrors of this and that. Instead, hammer government with a proper plan to improve road safety. We were, I believe, the first to introduce drink driving legislation. So let’s set a new trend in road safety.
We will never eradicate road injuries and deaths. We will never eradicate industrial accidents either. Neither are reasons not to take steps to significantly reduce the misery, pain and costs to the economy caused by road collisions. We hev done it in industry, so why not the public highway?
What additional attempts are being made to reduce the number killed on our roads compared to 2010 ?