Falling number of Scottish road accident deaths

The number of people killed on Scottish roads fell last year, new figures have revealed - but the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths increased.

Figures from Transport Scotland show 155 people were killed in collisions in Scotland in 2023, 16 fewer than the year before.

Pedestrian deaths increased from 34 to 47 and cycling deaths were up from two to seven.

The Scottish government's target is to have no deaths or serious injuries on the road by 2050.

Road casualties have increased since 2020 and 2021 when the Covid pandemic limited road travel.

However, the latest figures are at historic low levels. The number of fatalities last year was the fourth lowest on record

There was a 16% fall in the number cyclists injured, but the number of those injured in cars and on foot increased slightly.

Long-term goal

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said road safety remained an "absolute priority" for the Scottish government.

She said: "One death on our roads is one too many and my thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones or who have been injured in road traffic incidents.

"I do not accept road casualties are inevitable and it is vital we continue to work to bring overall casualty numbers down."

She said £36m had been invested to reach a target of having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030, and a longer-term goal of having no deaths on Scottish roads by 2050.