The statistics also show that the post-lockdown reduction in casualties was smallest for cyclists among all user groups.

“Despite fears that speeding has increased substantially during the first lockdown it does now look as if the number of casualties has gone down in line with falling traffic numbers,” commented road safety group IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy and research Neil Greig.

However he added: “While motor traffic reduced as a result of national lockdowns, cycling traffic increased and there has unfortunately not been the same positive impact on cycling casualties when compared with other road users.

“We therefore urge all road users to continue to be extra vigilant for cyclists as more people take to their bikes during lockdown.”

Government’s statistics show there were an estimated 1580 deaths on the roads in the 12 months to June 2020, representing a decrease of 14% against the previous year. Motor vehicle traffic decreased by a similar proportion over this period.

In January and February casualty numbers remained broadly consistent with 2019 but considerable reductions were observed for the months of March to June after lockdown was introduced.

The decrease was strongest in April, with a fall of 67% in total casualties compared to the same month in 2019, and a 48% reduction in deaths. However by June the number of road deaths was just 9% down on the previous year.

Road safety charity Brake’s director of campaigns Joshua Harris commented: “A drop in the number of road deaths should always be welcome but these figures must be viewed with caution, with the decline in road deaths coinciding with the March lockdown.”

He added that the pandemic provides an opportunity to improve road safety for years to come. “The Government must grasp this opportunity and introduce targets to eliminate death and serious injury from the roads for good.”

While a strong reduction in casualties was seen among pedestrians post-lockdown, for cyclists there was a 30% decrease in incidents in March and April compared to 2019 followed by a return to pre-pandemic levels by June.

Neil Greig called for Government to speed up the publication of statistics for the rest of 2020 – which are expected this June – to help demonstrate the impact of local traffic closures and temporary cycle lanes on casualties.

(Photograph: IAM RoadSmart)