Scotland has seen a rise in the number of lives lost on its roads, even though the total number of casualties has fallen over the past year.
Provisional figures released by Transport Scotland show that 160 people were killed in road accidents in 2024, an increase of 13 compared to 2023.
Serious injuries dropped slightly to 1,931, down from 1,952 the previous year.
Slight injuries saw a more notable fall of 7 percent, with 3,485 recorded, bringing the total number of road casualties down by 4 percent overall.
There was better news for those travelling on foot or by bike.
Pedestrian deaths fell from 47 to 41, and cyclist fatalities dropped from 7 to 3.
However, the rise in overall fatalities was driven largely by car and motorcycle accidents.
Car-related deaths jumped from 57 to 74.
Motorcycle fatalities also rose, from 27 to 31.
Since the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, when restrictions reduced travel, road casualty numbers have been steadily climbing.
That said, the 2024 figures still represent the third-lowest number of road deaths recorded in a non-pandemic year.
Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 sets ambitious targets for reducing casualties, measured against a 2014 to 2018 baseline.
So far, the reduction in fatalities stands at just 8 percent, well short of the 50 percent target for 2030.
Serious injuries have been reduced by 29 percent.
Child fatalities and serious injuries have seen reductions of 35 and 38 percent respectively.
These latest figures were produced independently by professional statisticians, free from political interference.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop shared a personal message alongside the release of the statistics.
“Behind every one of these statistics is a person or a household that has been changed forever,” she said.
“One life lost on our roads is one too many.”
She stressed that road safety remains a key priority for the Scottish Government.
“We are increasing investment in road safety to a record £48 million this year,” she said.
“This will fund improvements on trunk and local roads, awareness campaigns, and the development of new technologies to make our roads safer.”
Ms Hyslop reaffirmed her long-term goal for Scotland.
“I remain absolutely determined to save lives and to continue working towards our vision of no one being killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads by 2050.”
Opposition politicians have also voiced concerns.
Angus MacDonald MP, who represents Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, criticised delays in improving dangerous trunk roads.
“180 lives lost on Scotland’s roads is 180 too many,” he said.
“Communities across Scotland deserve better than missed targets and empty promises.”
Neil Alexander, the party’s candidate for Inverness and Nairn, echoed those concerns.
“As a long-time campaigner for upgrading the A9, A96 and A82, I believe these vital road upgrades would have a real impact on road safety,” he said.
“If I am elected, I will keep the pressure on ministers to deliver.”
