RAC reacts to 'truly shocking' new road casualty statistics

Following the publication today of new data covering reported road casualties to the year ending September 2016, RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said:

“A 22% increase in the number of children killed or seriously injured on British roads between July and September 2016 compared to the same period the year before is truly shocking. And, an estimated 2% rise in child casualties of all severities is yet more reason to worry.

“In the 21^st century this seems utterly wrong so we need to understand as a matter of priority why these increases have occurred and take action to save young lives before more are lost.

“It is also very concerning – even against a picture of a 1.4% rise in traffic levels – that the figures for all road casualties are showing a 6% increase in the number of people who were killed or seriously injured in the year ending September 2016. Sadly, among the worst increases were 10% more car occupants being killed or seriously injured along with 5% more motorcyclists and 2% more cyclists.

“If there is a silver lining, it is that that all severity casualties are down by 4% and the overall casualty rate per vehicle mile is down by 5%, however some of the recent quarterly spikes require some serious attention.”