In 2025, almost 30,000 people were killed or seriously injured on UK roads. While fatalities have fallen over time, thousands of families continue to face the devastating physical, emotional and financial consequences of road traffic collisions.
August marks National Road Victim Month, which serves to remind us of the often-devastating impact of road traffic collisions, as well as raising the issues of what we can do to reduce them and how best to help those who have suffered serious injury or bereavement.
The numbers and the people behind them
Statistics released by the Department of Transport in July 2026 in relation to road traffic casualties paint a mixed but nonetheless sobering picture of the number of people suffering injury on our roads.
In total there were 127,883 casualties of all severities on our roads in 2025 though, as these figures only include collisions reported to the police, the true figure is likely to be considerably higher.
Of these, a staggering 29,918 were killed or seriously injured, which represents an increase of 3% compared with the average of the years 2022-24. A total of 1,538 of these victims were lives tragically lost, a decrease of 4% from the previous year but, by comparison, still more than 3 times the number of people killed in homicides.
Looking at longer-term trends, the number of those killed or seriously injured has fallen by around a third since 2004; though most of this reduction occurred before 2010 and, the period of the pandemic aside, the numbers have remained relatively stable since then. Casualty rates per mile travelled, which take into account the long-term growth in traffic, have also declined over time.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, vulnerable road users (i.e. motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians) constitute a disproportionately large share of those killed or seriously injured, accounting for over half of those victims. Motorcyclists alone accounted for 25% of deaths despite representing just 1% of road traffic in 2025. The number of fatalities among motorcyclists rose compared with 2024, the second consecutive year-on-year increase.
Demographic differences are also noteworthy. Males comprised a remarkable 77% of fatalities, and people aged 17 to 49 accounted for over half of those killed or seriously injured.
The impact of road traffic collisions
Of course, the bare statistics do not tell the all-important human cost of those killed or injured on our roads.
Every casualty represents someone whose life has been lost or altered, in many cases permanently. For those who have suffered serious injury, this might mean months or even years of medical treatment, arduous rehabilitation and loss of earnings, not to mention the psychological impact of the sudden and uninvited change to their lives.
And for every direct victim, there are countless indirect victims not reflected in the statistics, whether it be the family members of those seriously injured who suddenly find themselves having to care for their loved ones, or those suffering the ultimate loss of bereavement.
A safer future?
Notwithstanding some fluctuations in the numbers of those seriously injured or killed on our roads year after year, the statistics remain stubbornly and unnecessarily high, raising the question of what can be done to reduce them.
Earlier this year the new Road Safety Strategy was launched, which sets out a plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. Consultations were announced into proposals to introduce a minimum learning period before learner drivers are eligible to take a test; to lower the drink-driving limit; and into the greater use of vehicle safety technology. Certainly, a national strategy to reduce the number of road victims is to be welcomed and reflects a recognition that the overwhelming majority of casualties on our roads are avoidable.
The criminal system also has role to play in changing how society regards victims of collisions and sanctions those responsible for them. A recent report from the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales reveals that victims of road collisions feel that road crime was not treated with the seriousness it deserved.
Whilst stiffer sentences alone would not eradicate careless and dangerous driving overnight, they would help to send out a message that driving in a way that causes injury or worse to our fellow citizens carries serious consequences, not only for the victims but for the offenders themselves.
These figures of fatalities and serious injuries on the road emphasise the importance of safer driving, protecting vulnerable road users and reducing avoidable harm.
Our role in supporting road collision victims
Most of us never imagine ourselves being a victim of a road traffic collision, even less suffering serious and potentially life-changing injuries as a result, and don’t plan for what we would do if it happened to us.
Inevitably thoughts turn at an early stage after injury to the financial impact, whether it be the prospect of losing earnings through not being able to work or the cost of medical treatment.
For those who have suffered injury or bereavement due to the actions of others, they do at least have the ability to seek compensation from the insurer of the person(s) responsible for the collision. This can provide access to interim payments and funding for much-needed rehabilitation; and, in cases involving catastrophic, life-changing injuries, funds for necessities such as professional care, adapted accommodation and transport, prosthetics and other aids and appliances.
Our serious injury team specialises in acting for seriously injured victims of road traffic collisions. We know all too well the devastating impact of road collisions and are proud to promote National Road Victim Month in bringing attention to the issue. We see the human stories behind these statistics every day and are committed to helping victims rebuild their lives while advocating for safer roads.
Case studies
Read stories of how our serious injury team have helped clients secure the compensation they deserve following a road traffic collision:
- Over £3 million settlement for a young woman who suffered a serious brain injury when hit by a car whilst jogging
- Multi-million pound settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered a leg amputation
- Seven-figure settlement for a man left with serious injuries to his foot after being hit by a drunk driver
