Highway deaths attributable to distraction and rushing attain 10-year excessive

The “grim” figures from the Division for Transport are a sobering reminder of the significance of staying protected on the highway.

General, 1,711 fatalities had been recorded within the Division for Transport’s report, a rise of 10 p.c on 2021.

Of those, 350 of the deadly accidents concerned motorcyclists, a rise of 40 in 2021. That is near half the variety of automobile deaths (788), regardless of the decrease variety of bikes on the highway.

Extra deaths had been attributable to distracted drivers and rushing in 2022 than at any level within the final decade.

Moreover, 28,031 folks suffered severe accidents on the roads final 12 months.

DfT mentioned that extra highway journeys following the lifting of lockdown restrictions is partly responsible for the elevated numbers. Numbers are nonetheless barely down in comparison with 2019 figures.

The figures are a reminder to motorcyclists of the significance of taking security severely. Sporting protecting clothes, sticking to the velocity restrict and sustaining consciousness could be the distinction between life and dying.

RAC highway security spokesperson Rod Dennis mentioned: “Affirmation that final 12 months noticed an increase within the variety of casualties on our roads – and that males are so more likely to be concerned – is a chilling reminder that there stays a lot work to do be performed to enhance highway security within the UK, even when statistically we’ve got a few of the most secure roads in Europe.

“The info exhibits there have been extra deadly collisions final 12 months than at any level during the last decade attributable to drivers or riders being distracted, impaired (458 lives misplaced) or breaking the velocity restrict (303 lives misplaced).

“It’s time the Authorities turned the dial up on tackling these points which, whereas advanced, end in lots of of individuals shedding their lives yearly.

“We additionally proceed to induce the Authorities to deal with this situation with the upmost seriousness by reintroducing casualty discount targets which had been scrapped in 2010.”

Rebecca Man, highway security supervisor for England on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) mentioned: “The info paints a grim image of highway security in Nice Britain.

“The distinct lack of progress in publishing a highway security technique since 2019 is deeply regarding, and we urge the Authorities to publish a transparent, evidence-based highway security technique earlier than extra individuals are killed on the roads.”