The State of Road Safety in the UK: Who Is Most at Risk on the Roads? 

Over the last four decades, road safety in the UK has steadily improved with a downward trend in fatality numbers, However, while overall figures since the 1980s look positive, the latest 2024 Department for Transport data shows the risk of danger is not evenly shared across all road users. In fact, certain groups, particularly older male drivers and motorcyclists, are now seeing stubbornly higher casualty levels. 

This report examines the current state of road safety in Great Britain, highlighting which road users currently face the highest danger, and how Britain compares internationally. 

Fatality rates on the roads  

According to the data, road fatalities in Great Britain have dramatically decreased since 1979, but since 2010 the downward trend has flattened. In 2024, there were 1,602 road deaths – a slight 1% decrease compared to 2023. 

In addition, there were 29,467 killed or seriously injured casualties, a decline of 1% compared to 2023. Total casualties of all severities reached 128,272, 4% down on 2023. 

Who is dying the most on Britain’s roads? 

Of the four major road user types, the group with the most fatalities is car occupants, with 692 fatalities in 2024. The table below compares 2024 fatalities by user type against 2023 and 2014. 

Although motorcyclists make up a smaller proportion of road users, they are one of the most high-risk groups for fatalities on the road. While most road type users have shown a decrease in reported fatalities, motorcyclists have shown a slight increase from 2023.  

The gender divide in road safety  

The data demonstrates a disproportionate split in road deaths in the UK, where over three-quarters of all fatalities in 2024 were male, who also accounted for 61% of casualties of all severities. 

Fatality trends vary by age among males whereby they decreased for those aged 49 and under but increased for those aged 50 and over. The increase of fatality numbers for men aged 50 to 69 is significant, at 19%, between 2023 and 2024. Since male fatalities aged 70 and over have also risen since 2014, this suggests a long-term increase associated with an ageing and more mobile population. 

Global comparison: Britain ranked among the safest countries 

Despite demographic risk disparities, Great Britain is still continuing to perform strongly in international comparisons. In 2024, it ranked fourth out of 36 countries, when comparing road fatalities per million population.  

Implications for future road safety priorities  

The 2024 figures highlight a shift in risk towards older, predominantly male road users. As life expectancy and car dependency rise, age-related physical changes such as slower reaction times, reduced vision, and medical vulnerability are likely to play an increasing role in collision outcomes. 

At One Sure, we believe that the data demonstrates that road safety efforts in Britain have succeeded overall in reducing fatalities, but that older men now represent one of the most vulnerable groups on the road. We must focus on addressing this through targeted safety guidance, improved vehicle technology uptake and continued public awareness.” 

Methodology 

All statistics used in this report are taken from the Department for Transport’s Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report 2024.