Rise in number of fatal crashes in the north-east, new figures show

New figures have revealed a rise in the number of fatal crashes in the north-east.

Transport Scotland has unveiled its Reported Road Casualties 2018 document, providing confirmation of the latest figures. The statistics show an increase in the number of fatal collisions on roads in the north-east last year, up to 19 from 14 in 2017.

A spokesman for Scottish Government Transport Secretary Michael Matheson insisted ministers are committed to reducing deaths on the north-east’s roads.

He said: “Road deaths are not an inevitability and they should not be expected to happen.

“We are committed to working with our partners to secure the ultimate vision established in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 – Vision Zero – where no one is killed on our roads.”

Despite the rise in fatalities across the north-east, there was a general reduction across most categories of collision.

Ewan Wallace, head of transportation at Aberdeenshire Council and chairman of Road Safety North East Scotland (RSNES), said: “The figures released are generally positive and continue to show the downward trend we’ve been experiencing across the north-east for both reported injuries in road collisions and casualties.

“The unfortunate fact remains that most collisions and the resultant casualties are due to human error.

“This can arise from a momentary lapse in concentration through to very poor driving decisions.

“However, the consequences can be identical – family tragedies and lives changed forever.”