Scotland records low road death toll in 2025

The number of people killed on Scotland’s roads fell sharply in 2025, according to new provisional figures published by Transport Scotland.

A total of 134 people lost their lives in reported road collisions during 2025 – 26 fewer than in 2024, representing a 16% reduction. It is the third-lowest annual total since records began, and the lowest recorded outside the Covid-19 pandemic years.

Overall, there were 5,535 reported road casualties in Scotland during 2025, down 3% from the previous year. This included 1,906 people who were seriously injured (down 4%) and 3,495 who sustained slight injuries (down 3%).

The figures provide an update on progress towards Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 targets. Compared with the 2014-18 baseline, the number of people killed on Scotland’s roads has fallen by 23%. Over the same period, the number of people seriously injured reduced from an adjusted baseline of 2,723 to 1,906, a reduction of 30%.

Commenting on the publication, cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop said,

“The reduction in fatalities was welcome, but stressed that every death on Scotland’s roads is one too many and reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering its long-term vision of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the road network.”