THE Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2013 (RRCGB) Annual Report released today showing a decrease in road deaths by 2 per cent compared with 2012. This is the lowest figure since national records began in 1926.

• In 2013, 1,713 people were killed in road accidents.

• In 2013, the number of people seriously injured decreased by 6 per cent to 21,657 compared to 2012 • The total number of casualties in road accidents reported to the police in 2013 was 183,670, down 6 per cent from 2012 total • Pedal cyclists’ deaths decreased by 8 per cent to 109 in 2013, compared to 118 in 2012 IAM director of policy of research Neil Greig said: “We welcome the overall decrease in road deaths although the long term trends show improvements are slowing down."

However, there have been increases in the following areas: • Fatalities on motorways increased by 14 per cent from 88 to 100 • Vans and LGVs fatalities increased by 12 per cent from 33 to 37 • Motorcycle fatalities on motorways increased by 250% from 4 to 14 • Child pedestrian fatalities increased by 30 per cent from 20 to 26 • Killed and serious injuries for all road users in deprived areas increased by 5% Neil continued: “It’s worrying that motorways have seen an increase in deaths, which is only partly explained by the increase in traffic on them – it is vital the government keeps a close eye on these figures as the Highway Agency rolls out its programme of wide-spread hard-shoulder running as opposed to proper motorway widening.

“The problem of death and serious injury among motorcycle riders remains and we want to see more use of training opportunities and partnerships to improve both skills and attitudes.

“Driver error was once again the top cause of crashes and the IAM believe that its courses can help reduce this figure but we need the partnership of the insurance industry and the government to help us deliver better drivers and riders.”