Transport Scotland has released provisional road casualty figures that show an increase in road fatalities between 2023 and 2024, but a reduction in overall casualties over the same period.
The figures show that in 2024 there were 160 road fatalities, an increase of 13 from a revised figure of 147 in 2023.
There were 1,931 serious casualties in 2024, which is a slight reduction from the 1,952 recorded in 2023.
Slight casualties decreased by 7% (from 3,739 to 3,485) meaning that total casualties reduced by 4% (from 5,838 to 5,576).
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Transport Scotland reports that despite the overall increase in fatalities between 2023 and 2024, the number of active travel fatalities reduced over the same period.
Additionally, pedestrian fatalities reduced from 47 to 41 and cyclist fatalities reduces from 7 to 3.
Scottish cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: “We are increasing investment in road safety in this budgetary year to a record £48m.
“This will help fund safety improvements on both trunk roads and local roads, high profile campaigns to raise awareness of key issues like speeding, seatbelts and drink/drug driving, as well as advancing the use of technology aimed at making our roads safer.
“It’s vital that we continue to work with our partners at all levels as we look towards reaching our target of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.
“These figures are a painful reminder of the challenge we face, but I remain absolutely determined to save lives and ensure we continue working towards our long-term vision of no-one being killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads by 2050.”
Achievements in road safety will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
