Newslink October 2023

News
2022 road deaths stats labelled ‘chilling
reminder of price paid for poor road safety’
Final figures show there were 1,711 road
deaths in Great Britain during 2022, a
year-on-year rise of 10%.
The stats were published on September 28
by the DfT, who says the number of
casualties ‘have begun to normalise’ after the
Covid-impacted years of 2020 and 2021.
In comparison to 2019, the last year
unaffected by the pandemic, the 2022 fatality
figure is down 2%.
Despite this, the RAC says the figures are
“a chilling reminder that there remains so
much work to do to improve road safety in
the UK”.
As has been widely reported over the last
few years, casualty statistics have been
heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic,
with lockdown periods leading to a reduction
in traffic on the roads.
As 2021 had a lockdown, it is perhaps no
surprise that 2022 has seen an increase in
not only fatalities, but also KSIs and the total
number of casualties. At 29,742, the number
of KSIs rose by 8%, while the overall casualty
figure increased by 6% to 135,480.
Both of the 2022 figures are however
lower than 2019 – KSIs are down by 3% and
casualties of all severities by 12%.
In 2022, 76% of fatalities and 62% of
casualties of all severities were male.
RAC reiterates call for reintroduction of
casualty targets
Reacting to the figures, the RAC is calling
on the Government to treat road safety “with
the upmost seriousness” by reintroducing
casualty reduction targets.
Rod Dennis, RAC road safety spokesperson,
said: “Confirmation that last year saw a rise
in the number of casualties on our roads –
and that men are so much more likely to be
involved – is a chilling reminder that there
remains so much work to be done to improve
road safety in the UK, even if statistically we
have some of the safest roads in Europe.
“The data shows there were more fatal
collisions last year than at any point over the
last decade caused by drivers or riders being
distracted, impaired (458 lives lost) or
breaking the speed limit (303 lives lost).
“It’s time the Government turned the dial
up on tackling these issues which, while
complex, result in hundreds of people losing
their lives every year.
“We also continue to urge the Government
to treat this issue with the upmost
seriousness by reintroducing casualty
reduction targets which were scrapped in
2010.”
Initiative promotes helmet wearing among e-scooter riders
Helmets are one of the “simplest and most
effective ways” for e-scooter riders to
prevent serious injury in the event of a
collision.
That’s the verdict of Neuron Mobility’s Alex
Gunn, at the start of the organisation’s third
Helmet Safety Awareness Week.
Data shows that 28% of e-scooter injuries
occur to the head or neck, while wearing a
helmet reduces the risk of sustaining a
severe injury by 70%.
Neuron has teamed up with RoSPA to share
five top tips to promote e-scooter helmet
Road casualty charts, 2012-22
use. As well as safety, the reasons for
wearing a helmet include:
n Increased visibility
n Leading by example and setting a
positive precedent for others
n Protection from the weather
n Financial savings
David Walker, head of road and leisure
safety at RoSPA, said: “We’re pleased to
support Neuron this Helmet Awareness
Week, which offers the ideal time for riders to
be reminded of the importance of wearing a
helmet.
“Although helmets don’t prevent collisions
from happening, they do provide a crucial line
of defence that cannot be underestimated.
“We strongly recommend all riders wear
helmets, so if they are in an incident, their
head is as protected as possible.”
A study conducted for Neuron examined
the perceptions on e-scooter safety and
what would increase helmet use. The top
suggestions were to introduce regulations to
wear helmets, as with motorcycles (64%),
more rider education (44%), and operators
mandated to provide helmets (42%).
10 NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2023