Figures Show First Increase In People Injured On UK Roads In Three Years

New figures have revealed that more than 12 people were injured in road accidents every day in South Yorkshire last year.

South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership Statistics for 2014 show 4,557 people were injured in road traffic collisions last year - eight per cent higher than in 2013.

The figures reveal the first increase for three years - but the number of people killed or seriously injured in such crashes has reduced slightly - it dropped from 513 in 2013 to 469 last year.

Five teenagers died in November in a crash on the A630 as they travelled from Doncaster towards Conisbrough.

Two-thirds of those injured on the roads in South Yorkshire last year were car drivers and passengers, but of those there was a 14 per cent increase in the number of cyclists hurt or killed - partly due to the higher number of people cycling on the region’s roads in the wake of the visit to the Tour de France to South Yorkshire last summer.

A total of 50 children aged 15 and under were killed or seriously injured last year - a drop of almost 20 per cent on 2013 and the lowest figure on record.

Chief Superintendent Rachel Barber, chair of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, said: “We are, of course, disappointed to see an increase in the number of people injured on the roads of South Yorkshire in 2014.

“The police and other emergency services witness first-hand the pain, grief and suffering experienced by the victims of road traffic collisions, their friends and families.

“The Safer Roads Partnership will continue with its efforts to reduce the number of collisions occurring.

“However, we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe on the roads and I would urge everyone to look out for other road users and respect their needs.”

Despite the increase in overall injuries, transport officials are still on course to meet targets to cut the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 40 per cent by 2020.

The goal was set in 2010 and by 2014; there has already been a 23 per cent reduction in such cases.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a road traffic accident, our personal injury solicitors team could help to get the compensation, rehabilitation and support you deserve. Visit our Road Traffic Accident Compensation page for more information.

Expert Opinion

Until recently, the number of serious and fatal incidents on the road had been falling, thanks to road safety measures and other factors. However over the past year or so that trend has started to reverse with cyclists in particular suffering an increased number of accidents. <br/> <br/>“In the serious injury team at Irwin Mitchell we see the devastation accidents cause on a daily basis and the impact that has not just on the injured person but also their friends and families. Particularly severe road accidents can leave people with permanent or long-term injuries leaving victims needing extensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation to help them on the path to recovery. <br/> <br/>“Our specialist teams are heavily involved in supporting injury victims not just through their legal battle for funds to access rehabilitation, therapy and care, but also in volunteering for events and awareness training to help push the message about road safety.” <br/> David Withers - Partner