One hundred and ninety one people lost their lives in accidents on Scotland’s roads in 2016, according to the latest figures released by Transport Scotland. This is an increase of 14 fatalities over the number killed in 2015.
Looking at the figures in more detail, they also reveal a rise in the number of child fatalities on the roads. Twelve children were killed in 2016, a rise of eight compared to the previous year. In addition, 167 were seriously injured, an increase from the 139 seriously injured in 2015.
The statistics also show that three more pedal cyclists were killed than in 2015 and three more motorcyclists, but 12 fewer pedestrians.
Accident prevent charity RoSPA has expressed its concern over the confirmed figures.
“While no specific conclusions regarding trends can be made from any single year’s casualty figures, some of the information published this week should give cause for concern,” commented Sandy Allan, RoSPA’s road safety manager for Scotland. “The number of fatalities in Scotland has risen to their highest rate since 2010.”
“Thankfully child fatalities have been a rarity since the Scottish Government set its challenging casualty reduction figures, but with 12 fatalities being announced for 2016, this is the highest rate recorded since these were set,” he added. “There were eight more families having to come to terms with a young life cut short in 2016 because of a road collision than in 2015.”
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