Transport Scotland’s ambition to halve the number of people killed or seriously injured on the nation’s roads by 2030 has encountered a setback, according to the latest casualty data. While long-term trends continue to show improvement, recent figures indicate that progress has slowed.

The Scottish Government’s ‘Road Safety Framework to 2030’ sets out a commitment to move steadily toward a Vision Zero future, in which no lives are lost on the road network by 2050. However, the most recent statistics show a rise in road fatalities in 2024 from the previous year.

According to George Henry, Transport Scotland’s Head of Unit for Road Policy and Safety, the challenge is multi-layered.

“Transport Scotland continues to make progress toward halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, though recent data highlights the scale of the challenge,” Henry says. “The slowdown reflects a mix of factors, including post-pandemic behavioural changes including those related to speeding and driver distraction.”

Rural single-carriageway routes remain a critical concern. These roads account for 69% of fatalities, often linked to loss of control and excessive speed. Meanwhile, young drivers, older drivers and motorcyclists continue to be disproportionately represented in casualty statistics. 

Safe System approach

Henry notes that regional variations tend to reflect the local road type and traffic mix rather than any single geographic area.

To address these challenges, Scotland is placing the Safe System approach at the centre of its strategy. The framework is supported by £48m of funding in 2025/26, representing a 33% increase on the previous year.

Henry explains: “The Safe System is delivered through coordinated national and local action across five components: safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe road use and post-crash response.”

This investment includes supporting low-cost engineering measures and 20 mph delivery on trunk roads, investing in safer junctions, crossings, and infrastructure for vulnerable users, and targeted safety camera deployments.

In addition, there is support for the roll-out of 20mph speed limits on appropriate rural roads, and further money to deliver a national driver behaviour change campaigns, highlighting the dangers of fatigue, drivers unfamiliar with the UK road system & drink and/or drug driving.

At the same time, Scotland has introduced what Henry claims is the world’s first ‘Safe System Manual for Practitioners’ to ensure greater consistency in how road safety principles are applied across partners. A complementary ‘Cultural Maturity Playbook’ aims to embed shared expectations, collaboration, and accountability across partners including Police Scotland and local authorities.

Looking ahead, Henry says the focus is sharpened on rural road speed management, targeted enforcement and new behaviour change campaigns.

“Every step taken now contributes toward the long-term Vision Zero goal for 2050,” he stresses.

While the scale of the task is clear, Transport Scotland argues that a coordinated, data-driven, and partnership-led approach remains the best route to long-term success.

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Image:  A83 trunk road in the South West Scottish Highlands. Credit: Shutterstock.