New cars are getting safer, and yet four people are killed every day on Great Britain’s roads, with more than 70 seriously injured, according to new figures from the Department for Transport (DfT). The 2024 statistics show 1,602 fatalities, a 1% drop on the previous year, while overall casualties of all severities fell by 4%.
The data reveals that 29,467 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI) last year, also down 1% year-on-year. But safety campaigners say the pace of improvement has slowed dramatically, warning that progress on reducing deaths has stalled.
Car occupant fatalities fell by 5%, but motorcyclist deaths rose 8% to 340 and pedestrian fatalities increased by 1% to 409. Vulnerable road users now make up more than half of all deaths, sparking calls for urgent action.
Safety groups call for action
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says the figures highlight a worrying lack of progress. It is urging the Government and local authorities to deliver lower speed limits in high-risk areas, targeted enforcement, investment in safer infrastructure and renewed public education campaigns.
Rebecca Guy, senior policy manager at RoSPA, said: ‘These figures are a stark reminder that progress on road safety has stalled, and lives are being lost unnecessarily. It is essential that the upcoming national road safety strategy contains the measures and resources needed to prevent road traffic collisions.’
The RAC’s Rod Dennis added: ‘On average four people are killed, and a further 76 seriously injured, every single day in Great Britain. Britain might still have an enviable safety record compared to some other countries, but the simple fact is that casualties aren’t falling at a fast enough rate anymore.’
Long wait for a new strategy
Campaigners point to the Government’s promise last year of a refreshed national road safety strategy, the first in over a decade. The last plan was published in 2019, and since then more than 8,250 people have died on UK roads.
The AA’s Jack Cousens said: ‘Every death and serious injury on our roads is a tragedy. Sadly, the figures show that little to no improvement to reduce the number of people injured on our roads and highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive road safety strategy.’
IAM RoadSmart policy director Nicholas Lyes added that the 8% rise in motorcyclist deaths and a rise in motorway fatalities showed an urgent need for more effective measures. Brake’s chief executive Ross Moorlock went further, saying: ‘These numbers should shock and anger all of us. It is simply unacceptable that, as a society, we largely accept that people will die on our roads every day.’
What this means for you
For drivers, these figures highlight that while the risks of being killed on the road remain relatively low compared with decades ago, progress has slowed. It means road users cannot assume safety is improving in the way it once did.
If you’re a motorcyclist, pedestrian or cyclist, the risks are disproportionately higher. These groups now account for more than half of all road deaths, showing the need for extra care and awareness when you’re out on the road.
The figures also suggest that enforcement and education may increase in coming years. Drivers should expect stricter speed enforcement, more targeted policing, and wider adoption of measures like 20mph zones in high-risk areas.
Editor’s view: every death is one too many…
Let’s not beat around the bush here – cars are fantastically safe these days, but the lack of a fall in road deaths is disappointing. These figures are a reminder that complacency kills. Britain has long prided itself on having some of the safest roads in the world, but that doesn’t mean we can stand still. Four deaths every single day is not acceptable, and no statistic should ever be treated as just a number.
Road safety campaigns and strategies don’t always grab headlines, but they save lives. If Government and local authorities really want to make a difference, they need to commit to proper investment in safer roads, targeted enforcement, and smart technology that keeps bad drivers off the road.
As ever, I’ll back any policy that drives costs down for consumers and keeps them safe at the same time. The lesson from these figures is simple: we need bold action, not gentle nudges. When lives are at stake, half measures won’t cut it.
Keith Adams – Editor, Parkers
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