The number of people killed on Britain's roads rose by nearly 3% in 2011, marking the first annual increase in almost a decade, according to government figures. A total of 1,901 deaths were recorded, up from 1,850 in 2010, reversing a downward trend that had been in place since 2003.
Transport minister Mike Penning described the figures as disappointing, stressing that road safety remains a top priority. However, road safety charity Brake called the increase 'unacceptable and shameful', urging the government to reintroduce casualty reduction targets that were scrapped in May 2011.
The data reveals that 46% of those killed were car occupants, 24% were pedestrians, 19% motorcyclists, and 5% cyclists. Pedestrian deaths rose by 12% year-on-year to 453. The Department for Transport noted that this increase should be viewed against a long-term downward trend since the 1970s, and suggested that exceptional weather at the start and end of 2010 may have contributed.
Shadow transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick criticised the coalition government's decision to drop road safety targets, arguing that they had enjoyed cross-party support for nearly three decades and sent a strong message about commitment to reducing casualties. Brake's deputy chief executive Julie Townsend called for greater ambition, including 20mph speed limits, a lower drink-driving limit, and improved training for young drivers.
Kevin Clinton of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) expressed concern that cuts to local authority and road policing budgets may be partly to blame. The Association of Chief Police Officers' lead for roads policing, Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, acknowledged that more could be done through intelligence-led enforcement, education, and engineering to influence driver behaviour and reduce casualties.
