Fatalities on UK roads increased in 2024

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 11 Jun 2025

Newly-released provisional data from the government shows a worrying rise in the number of fatalities on British roads.

In 2024, there were an estimated 1633 fatalities on the roads of Great Britain, up 1% compared to 2023.

There were 29,537 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties, a figure little changed from 2023.

However, there was a welcome fall in the number of casualties of all severities. At 128,375, the provisional figure was down 3% compared to 2023.

Commenting on the figures, the government said that, in the last decade, road fatality trends have generally been stable, with a steady decline in overall casualties.

However, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said the figures demonstrate a troubling lack of progress in bringing down fatal and serious injuries in our road network.

"Moreover, 2024 saw a significant increase in the number of motorcyclists that were killed, highlighting that more needs to be done to protect some of the most vulnerable road users. The government’s updated road safety strategy cannot come soon enough," says Lyes.

Meanwhile, the RAC says the rise in fatalities was alarming.

"It’s also worrying to see pedestrian fatalities at their highest number since before the pandemic and that men are still three times more likely to be killed on the roads than women.

This data is yet more evidence of the need for a renewed focus on saving lives on the roads, so we look forward to the publication of the government’s road safety strategy," says RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis.

The government will next update the provisional figures in September, with the final annual estimates for 2024.

Ask HJ

Should I drive in red weather warnings?

A Met Office red weather warning includes the advice ‘do not drive.’ If this is ignored and a car accident occurs would the car insurance be invalid on the same basis that travel insurance is invalid in countries where the Foreign Office has advised ‘do not visit’?

The Met Office guidance states that when a Red Warning is in effect, 'you should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities', which suggests that travel is not banned but should be made with caution. What may have a greater impact is if travel has been prohibited by the local authorities or police in a specific area - it is important to note the difference between 'should not' and 'must not' when guidance is provided by the authorities.

Answered by David Ross

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