Casualties by mode of transport

In 2021 there were 2,862 car users reported injured in road accidents; over half of all road casualties (57%: 2,862 out of 5,023) and a 3% increase on 2020. Of these, 56 were killed, a decrease of 20% from 2020, and 701 seriously injured.

There were 758 pedestrian casualties^[1] recorded in 2021, one in seven of all casualties (15%: 758 out of 5,023) and down by 53 (7%) since 2020. Five per cent of pedestrian casualties were killed (37 out of 758) and 40% seriously injured (300 out of 758).

Pedal cycle casualty numbers in 2021 decreased by 18%. There were 500 pedal cyclist casualties recorded in 2021, and 10 died (one fatality fewer than in 2020).

Motorcycle casualties increased by 8% in 2021. 450 motorcycle casualties were reported, of whom 275 (61%) suffered serious injuries and 28 died, an increase of 12 fatalities on 2020.

A total of 78 bus and coach users were reported injured (a decrease of 8% on 2020), of whom 27 were seriously injured, two died.

Together, all other modes of transport accounted for 7% of casualties in 2021 (375 out of 5,023), for 4% of those killed (6 out of 139) and for 6% of those seriously injured (103 out of 1,596).

Figures on numbers of casualties by mode should be compared with data on mode use since changes could be due to more or fewer people travelling by a particular mode. Information on mode use is published in the 'road traffic' and 'personal travel' sections of Scottish Transport Statistics (STS). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant changes to people's travel behaviour in both 2020 and 2021.

Figure 6: Number of casualties by mode of transport, 2021.

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