Road death figures increased

Road deaths in Scotland rose by more than 20 per cent on last year in the latest quarter, according to a new report.

There were 97 fatalities on Scotland’s roads between April and September 2022, the 2022/23 second quarter report from Police Scotland shows.

This is a 21.3 per cent increase on the same period last year when there were 80 deaths.

One child was killed, down from four during the same quarter of 2021.

The number of people seriously injured decreased 13.4 per cent compared to the previous year, falling to 817. Police Scotland said reducing road casualties is a priority.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said:“Each of these fatalities is a tragedy. Reducing the number of road casualties is a priority and we work alongside the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and others to do so.

“We have dedicated patrols on key routes to tackle dangerous driving and respond to community concerns.

“We are running our annual festive drink and drug-drive campaign where our officers will be stopping drivers across the country to help make our roads safer.”

The report also noted that overall violent crime levels continue to be at a broadly similar level to recent years, however, homicides and serious assaults are lower.

Police said a rise in non-sexual violent crimes, which increased by 1.6 per cent compared to last year, continues to be driven by offences committed under the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act, as well as those involving threats, extortion and drugging. Sexual crimes were reported, down 3.5 per cent.