Road safety campaigners and motoring organisations have expressed growing alarm over the latest provisional road casualty figures.

Statistics for 2024 reveal an increase in fatalities, with an average of four people killed every day on the nation’s roads.

Poor vision

Provisional figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show that 1,633 people were killed in road traffic collisions in 2024, a 1% rise from the previous year and the highest number recorded since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, 29,537 people were either killed or seriously injured (KSI).

The failure to reduce deaths and the high number of seriously injured is a sobering reminder that the nation’s roads remain dangerous, and the situation has failed to make any real improvements for over a decade.

These conclusions come despite decades of advancements in vehicle safety and enforcement, pointing the finger of blame squarely at the attitudes of drivers and riders.

While the total number of road injuries saw a modest decline of around 3%, the increase in fatal crashes — particularly among vulnerable groups such as motorcyclists — has sparked urgent calls for reform and investment in road safety.

Two wheels and four

A key factor in the increase in fatalities was a 9% rise in motorcyclist deaths compared to 2023, reversing a previous decline of 6% the year before.

This sudden increase has drawn particular concern from road safety bodies, with many citing inadequate infrastructure and a lack of driver awareness as contributing factors.

Nicholas Lyes, Director of Policy and Standards at IAM RoadSmart, said, “This increase in motorcyclist deaths is deeply worrying.

These road users are some of the most vulnerable, and we urgently need targeted interventions — from education and infrastructure to enforcement — to prevent further loss of life.”

Pedestrian fatalities rose 2%, while deaths among car occupants and pedal cyclists were both down 2%.

New forms

Provisionally, there were an estimated 1,214 casualties in collisions involving e-scooters, down compared to 1,387 in 2023.

Four people were killed in collisions involving e-scooters (all of whom were e-scooter riders) compared to six in 2023.

In collisions involving e-scooters, 394 people were seriously injured, and 816 were slightly injured – down from 414 and 967, respectively, in 2023, based on the best estimate after adjusting for changes in police reporting.

Common foes

The uptick in fatalities comes despite improvements in vehicle safety and technology.

Experts are now pointing to behavioural factors — especially seatbelt non-compliance and drug and drink-driving — as growing risks.

Police forces report that drug-driving has become increasingly common, even overtaking drink-driving in some areas.

A police spokesperson told Auto Express, “We’re now catching more people under the influence of drugs than alcohol. It’s worrying how normalised narcotic use has become behind the wheel.”

However, it’s challenging to compare drug-driving rates due to the drug-driving laws only coming into force in 2015.

Another area of concern is seatbelt use, which remains inconsistent.

In 2022, one in five road deaths involved someone not wearing a seatbelt — a statistic believed to be unchanged or worse in 2024.

Campaigners argue this reflects both poor enforcement and a decline in public awareness, especially amongst young drivers and passengers.

Public and Expert Reaction

The AA’s President, Edmund King, described the figures as “a tragedy”.

“If this level of loss was experienced on any other form of transport, there would be a national inquiry and public outcry. Yet, for some reason, we accept this as the risk of moving around our communities. This should not be the case.”

Men continue to be disproportionately represented in fatal collisions, accounting for three-quarters of all road deaths, consistent with long-term trends showing higher risk-taking and mileage among male drivers.

Young drivers and passengers continue to pose a significant challenge to road safety.

Young drivers are proportionately overrepresented in deaths and serious injuries.

Despite this, the Government continues to reject the idea of Graduate Drive licensing.

Furthermore, young drivers and passengers’ attitudes to drink and drug driving, as well as seatbelt use, are also frequently questioned by surveys and statistics.

Responsibility and response

These rising casualty figures have increased pressure on the Government to release its long-promised road safety strategy — the first such comprehensive plan in over a decade.

The Department for Transport confirmed in 2024 that it was drafting the strategy, which could include the creation of a Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB) — a body that would mirror the structures used in aviation and rail to investigate incidents and make safety recommendations.

However, despite calls from groups like IAM RoadSmart and Brake, a publication date has yet to be confirmed.

When approached, the DfT declined to comment on whether the strategy would be released before the end of 2025.

Lyes of IAM RoadSmart says: “The publication of this strategy can’t come soon enough. We need a comprehensive and data-led approach to address the causes of rising fatalities. It’s not just about safer cars — it’s about safer people and safer roads.”

Looking Ahead

As the UK prepares to enter another year without a clear, updated road safety framework, campaigners warn that complacency is not an option.

Previous Conservative governments abandoned road safety targets and made little to no progress on road safety policies.

As a result, road casualty figures have plateaued for over a decade following significant improvements.

With over 1,600 lives lost in 2024 — and tens of thousands more left seriously injured — there is a pressing need for renewed focus, funding, and political will to address the persistent dangers on Britain’s roads.

As Edmund King emphasised: “Every one of these numbers is a person — a life lost, a family changed forever. We must stop accepting road deaths as inevitable. They are preventable.”