Concerns as number of child pedestrians killed on Britain’s roads rises

Serious concerns have been raised about the rise in the number of child pedestrians and older motorists being killed on Britain’s roads.

Figures recently released from the Department for Transport show that between 2017 and 2018, the number of pedestrians aged 15 and under who died rose by more than a quarter from 22 to 28 during the same period.

The number of fatalities aged 60 and over in reported road accidents rose by 5% from 559 to 588.

While the new data reveals an overall drop in road deaths from 1,793 in 2017 to 1,784 in 2018 and road casualties falling from 170,993 to the lowest level on record at 160,597, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has said the figures are a “serious concern” and that there is a “lack of significant progress towards reducing road deaths”.

Another worrying trend is the growth in motorway fatalities which has increased by 8% to 107 in 2018. Meanwhile, the number of reported accidents on motorways involving a driver impaired by illicit or medicinal drugs has risen considerably by nearly 50% from 39 in 2017 to 57 in 2018.

As a result, RoSPA along with motoring organisations and victim support groups is now urging the Government to do something to address the issue and is calling for the introduction of road safety targets to help prevent more tragedies in the future.

At Novum Law, we meet people every day who’ve had their lives completely turned upside down by a serious road traffic accident.

Road crashes, serious injuries and fatalities rip families apart and leaves loved ones, friends and entire communities reeling. Any serious, life-changing injury or death on our roads is a tragedy and is one too many.

If you or a family member has been involved in a road traffic accident caused by someone else’s mistake or negligence, Novum Law’s specialist team can help you make a personal injury compensation claim on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis.

For more information, call us on 0800 884 0777 or email: acole@novumlaw.com.