During the pandemic-induced lockdowns, British streets and highways were left more or less empty. For those not considered “Essential Workers”, commutes became a thing of the past, and travelling for fun became a luxury few could afford.
Since the reopening of society however, our roads have seen a growing level of traffic, due in no small part to the end of many work-from-home schemes. With the increase in traffic, comes an increase in accidents.
An analysis of road traffic accident data in the UK from 2018 to 2022 highlights significant risks faced by vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Despite their smaller numbers compared to car occupants, these groups suffer a disproportionately high number of accidents.
Total Accidents Overview
Over the five-year period, the total number of road traffic accidents has varied, with a notable increase between 2020 and 2022:
2018: 1,784 accidents
2019: 1,752 accidents
2020: 1,460 accidents
2021: 1,558 accidents
2022: 1,711 accidents
The rise in accidents in 2022 is particularly alarming, as it represents the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic began, reversing the decline seen during the lockdown periods.
Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, Pedal Cyclists, and Motorcyclists
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians face a high risk of accidents, with males making up roughly two-thirds of all accidents each year:
2018: 456 (298 males, 158 females)
2019: 470 (324 males, 146 females)
2020: 346 (244 males, 102 females)
2021: 361 (246 males, 115 females)
2022: 385 (256 males, 129 females)
Despite a decrease in 2020, likely due to reduced road activity during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the numbers have been rising again, indicating an escalating danger for pedestrians.
Bicycle Accidents
Pedal cyclists, though fewer in number, also face considerable risks on the roads:
2018: 99 (81 males, 18 females)
2019: 100 (86 males, 14 females)
2020: 141 (130 males, 11 females)
2021: 111 (94 males, 17 females)
2022: 91 (76 males, 15 females)
The spike in 2020 may correlate with an increase in cycling during the pandemic, reflecting a surge in bike accidents. This refers to both situations where a vehicle crashes into a bicycle or when a bike crashes into a person or another vehicle.
Motorcyclist Accidents
Motorcyclists face substantial risks, with an overwhelming majority of accidents involving males:
2018: 354 (338 males, 16 females)
2019: 336 (324 males, 12 females)
2020: 285 (273 males, 12 females)
2021: 310 (299 males, 11 females)
2022: 350 (339 males, 11 females)
Gender Disparities Among Vulnerable Road Users
The data reveals that males are more frequently involved in accidents than females, particularly among vulnerable road users:
Pedestrians: Each year, male pedestrians are involved in more accidents than their female counterparts.
Pedal Cyclists: Male cyclists are consistently at higher risk compared to female cyclists.
Motorcyclists: Male motorcyclists represent 95-97% of all motorcycle accidents between 2018-2022.
Comparing Vulnerable Road Users to Car Occupants
While car occupants form the largest group in road traffic accidents, the relative risk for pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and motorcyclists remains disproportionately high when considering their numbers:
Car Occupants (2022): 788 (533 males, 255 females)
Pedestrians (2022): 385 (256 males, 129 females)
Pedal Cyclists (2022): 91 (76 males, 15 females)
Motorcyclists (2022): 350 (339 males, 11 females)
The substantial number of motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle accidents highlight the vulnerability of these groups compared to those protected by the structure of a car.
Key Concerns
Accident Levels Post-Pandemic: Accident levels in 2022 were at their highest since the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating an urgent need for renewed safety efforts.
Persistent Risks for Pedestrians: Despite efforts to improve pedestrian safety, the number of accidents involving pedestrians has remained high, with males being particularly affected.
Cyclist Safety Concerns: The increase in cyclist accidents during 2020 points to a need for better cycling infrastructure and safety measures to protect this group.
Motorcyclist Vulnerability: Motorcyclists, particularly males, face significant risks on the roads. Improved safety awareness for all road users may help bring this number down.
Gender Disparity: The higher number of accidents involving males, particularly among vulnerable road users, suggests targeted interventions may be necessary to address this disparity.
The data underscores the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and motorcyclists. With male pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists being disproportionately affected, there is a clear need for enhanced safety measures, such as improved pedestrian crossings, dedicated cycling lanes, and public awareness campaigns focused on the safety of these groups. This intervention would benefit all road users, regardless of their method of transport or gender.
