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Road Casualty Rates 'Vary' Across Britain

Road Casualty Rates 'Vary' Across Britain

Progress in cutting road casualty rates varies considerably across the UK, according to an analysis of accident figures.

The reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSIs) is much higher in London than the national average and much lower in Wales.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are far safer than those in England.

The study by the RAC Foundation and the Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Transport Safety said that while car occupant safety has improved, the situation among pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists has been less good.

Although deaths in this group have declined they are now a larger proportion of all road deaths, rising from 46% in 2005-09 to 49% in 2013. The number of cyclists seriously injured has risen.

The report said the figures hid a recent flattening out of the overall downward trend with the most dramatic casualty reduction in this period being seen in 2010.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "Overall, many fewer people were killed and injured on the roads at the end of the last Westminster Parliament than at the beginning.

"But given the flattening out of casualty figures, a probable increase in casualties in 2014 and a predicted increase in road traffic, it is important that national, regional and local governments review these trends, and share best practice to learn what is, and what isn't, working around."

The reduction rates across regions were:

:: London - 36%

:: Northern Ireland - 35%

:: Scotland - 33%

:: UK average - 23%

:: England (excluding London) - 19%

:: Wales - 15%