News

An annual report published by the Department for Transport today (Thursday 25 September) shows a reduction in the number of people seriously injured in road traffic collisions in our county. 

The figures, which cover January to December 2024, show just under a six per cent reduction in serious injuries and a three per cent reduction in all injuries. 

Tragically, however, 43 people lost their lives on South Yorkshire roads – an increase from 39 people in the previous year. 

Kilvinder Vigurs Deputy Mayor and Chair of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) said we must think about the victims. 

“It is incredibly painful to receive a knock on your door from someone telling you that your loved one won’t be coming home or has been seriously injured,” she said. 

“I can’t begin to think about how distressing it must be for all those involved in the collision scene response, and I thank those emergency and support services.   

“I recently visited the road traffic unit of South Yorkshire Police meeting the individuals who deal with collisions on a regular basis.  I was impressed by their dedication and professionalism. 

“Today we must take a moment to reflect on all those people impacted by road traffic collisions, the victims, the family and friends – the people behind these statistics”. 

Nationally, in 2024, road deaths reduced by one per cent, the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSIs) reduced by one per cent and the number of people receiving any level of collision injury reduced by four per cent. 

In South Yorkshire, the total number of people killed or seriously injured in a crash reduced from 841 in 2023 to 791 in 2024.The number of people receiving any type of injury reduced from 2,894 to 2,799. 

Kilvinder added: “While the 2024 figures show some progress, there is much more work to do make a real difference on our roads. 

“As a partnership, we are committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads with an ultimate ambition of reaching Vision Zero. 

“Our pledge to end all road deaths and serious injuries is part of our Police and Crime Plan, as well as the Mayor’s Manifesto, and it is the only acceptable target when it comes to road harm. 

“Our partners continue to monitor and evaluate their casualty reduction schemes, to ensure they are reaching those most at risk.”  

The partnership is made up of the four local authorities, South Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, National Highways and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. 

Partners are developing a Safe System Strategy which seeks to design out serious and fatal collisions by working to five key areas: Safe Speeds, Safe Roads and Roadsides, Safe Road Users, Safe Vehicles and Post-Collision Response. 

“Humans make mistakes and collisions are inevitable,” added Kilvinder. “But if we can help to minimise the injuries caused when a collision occurs, we can save lives and prevent further heartache for families.” 

Excess or inappropriate speed, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, distractions – including mobile phones - and lack of experience continue to feature as major contributing causes of crashes. 

Young male drivers, aged 17-24, remain over-represented in the casualty figures with older road users (70+), particularly pedestrians, showing an increase.