Road casualties have risen sharply across Great Britain in 2023, with the RAC condemning the government's failure to release crucial safety data needed to tackle the crisis. The motoring organisation says the Department for Transport's continued delay in publishing comprehensive statistics is actively hampering efforts to understand what's driving the increase and develop life-saving measures.
Provisional figures show both fatalities and serious injuries have climbed on Britain's roads, reversing years of safety improvements. The RAC's analysis reveals a worrying trend that makes the absence of detailed, timely data even more critical for road safety professionals and policymakers trying to formulate targeted interventions.
Simon Williams, the RAC's head of road safety, said the delayed data publication was hampering efforts to save lives. "Without a complete picture, it is challenging to identify specific trends, assess the effectiveness of current safety initiatives, or develop new strategies to protect road users," he said. The DfT's quarterly and annual reports typically break down casualties by vehicle type, road user and contributing factors—all vital for understanding road safety dynamics.
The RAC has linked the casualty rise to cuts in dedicated road policing units, arguing that visible police presence deters dangerous driving and enforces traffic laws. The organisation has renewed calls for a dedicated road safety minister to provide focused leadership across government departments.
Rising road casualties hit the NHS, emergency services and the economy hard beyond individual tragedies. The RAC's intervention highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action through improved infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, robust data analysis and proper enforcement.