Road Safety Resources

Overall statistics

2021 saw 128,209 casualties on UK roads, including 23,363 serious injuries and 1,558 deaths. These statistics equate to someone being killed or seriously injured every 21 minutes during 2021. This is an increase of 15.6% from 2020, but an 8.1% reduction from 2019 prior to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Vehicle miles driven

297.6 billion vehicle miles (BVM) were driven in 2021. Cars/taxis took the top spot with a staggering 221.4 BVM, followed by LCV’s with 75.4% less vehicle miles at 54.4 BVM.

These two vehicle types accounted for 91.4% of vehicle miles driven in 2021.

Casualties by gender

Out of the 1558 road deaths in 2021, 1,211 (77.7%) of those killed on UK roads were male. 61.9% of all 128,209 casualties were also male. Male road deaths have increased by 7.4% since 2020, but are 7.1% lower compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Comparatively, female road deaths have increased by 4.5% since 2020, but are 22.5% lower than 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Casualties by age

30-39-year-olds contributed 24,920 casualties in 2021, the most of any age group. However, 70+ contributed the most road deaths (291) followed by 30-39-year-olds (248) and 50-59-year-olds close behind in third (239). These three groups combined accounted for 49.9% of the total UK road deaths.

Casualties by road type

Of the estimated 247,800 miles of road in the UK, A-roads accounted for 54% of all road deaths (837) in 2021, whilst only covering 11.9% of the UK road network. However, going by deaths per mile of road, motorways are the most dangerous, with one death for every 22.3 miles of motorway, compared to one every 35.2 miles on A roads. This is significantly more than C roads (classified unnumbered) and unclassified roads, with a road death every 498.9 miles on these roads.

Casualties by speed limit

Most deaths occurred on roads with 60 and 30 mph speed limits – 514 and 501 respectively – accounting for 65% of fatalities. 20mph zones only accounted for 53 deaths, followed by 50mph roads, with 115 fatalities. 30mph saw 67,715 total casualties: 291% more than the next worst at 17,311 casualties on 60mph roads –statistically the worst for road deaths.

Casualties by month

The second half of 2021 saw a 61.4% increase in road deaths compared to the first. July and October were the worst months, each seeing 177 fatalities. Comparatively, February saw 66% fewer fatalities with only 60 road deaths, followed by March with 85.

Casualties by time of day

You’re most likely to be killed or seriously injured between 3pm and 5pm. There were 32,472 casualties during this time slot. The largest amount of road deaths in 2021 happened from 4-5pm with 106 fatalities. Statistically, the safest time to travel is between 4 and 5am, accounting for only 203 people being killed or seriously injured and 760 casualties altogether.

Seat belt fatalities

Of all car occupant fatalities, 34% of men and 20% of females were not wearing a seatbelt. 17-29-year-olds were the worst offenders with 40% of fatalities not wearing a seatbelt. Of all fatalities that occurred between 6pm and 8am, 47% of were not wearing a seatbelt.

Fatalities by location

England saw a 6.7% increase in deaths on the road in 2021. 1329 people were killed and there were over 110,000 total casualties (11% increase). Scotland had the same number of deaths as in 2020 (143) and only a 2% increase in the overall casualties. Wales had the biggest increase with 21.1% more deaths on the road and an 18% increase in casualties.

Looking at England, the Southeast had the most road deaths with 235, followed by the Northwest with 190. However, London saw the greatest number of overall casualties with 26,698. The Northeast had the lowest number of fatalities with 51, and 3921 total casualties; 85% less than London. View the full breakdown by region below:

Understanding the Hierarchy of Road Users

Observation, Anticipation and Planning

How To Effectively Manage Distractions

Breaking the Cycle of Conflict

Understanding Stopping Distance