The widening gap in road safety
In 2025, 29,918 people were killed or seriously injured in road accidents across Great Britain. Of those, 2,432 were under 16. According to the Department for Transport, child pedestrian casualties in England are almost five times higher in the country’s poorest areas than in the richest. The 20% of the most deprived areas account for the bulk of these child casualties, compared to 4% in the least deprived.
The report from the DfT highlights a growing divide over the last decade. The most serious road accidents are disproportionately concentrated in lower-income communities. This pattern is especially noticeable among young pedestrians, bus users, and other vulnerable road users.
Fatalities rising for motorcyclists
While fatalities for car drivers have dropped 4% since 2022 to 1,538, deaths among motorcyclists have risen by 14%. The death toll for motorcyclists went from 325 in 2024 to 372 in 2025. The report notes that this group remains one of the most at-risk on the roads and requires specific attention for safety improvements.
Speeding was a factor in 52% of fatal accidents. Across all categories, more than three-quarters of those killed were male. Despite carrying 21% of the traffic, motorways were the safest, accounting for just 6% of fatalities.
A call for focused action and investment
Rebecca Guy from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said the widening gap must be addressed directly. “Tackling inequality must be at the heart of road safety,” she said. She urged the government to target resources toward the most at-risk communities to ensure safe infrastructure and safe travel.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said the government’s new road safety strategy is the first in over a decade. It aims to reduce deaths and injuries for all road users, especially in deprived areas, and includes tracking the impact of the measures to ensure fairness for all communities.