Highland Council has third worst road casualty figures in Scotland, just behind Glasgow and Edinburgh in the top spots
The Highland Council area suffered the third worst road casualty figures in Scotland with 403 between 2019-23, according to new Scottish Government statistics.
Transport Scotland revealed that nationally provisional numbers show there was an increase in road fatalities between 2023 and 2024, but a reduction in overall casualties over the same period.
Scotland-wide, in 2024 there were 160 road fatalities, which is a rise of 13 from a revised figure of 147 in 2023 and there were 1931 serious casualties in 2024.
The number of slight casualties decreased by seven per cent from 3739 to 3485 meaning that total casualties reduced by four percent from 5838 to 5576.
Among the data released by Transport Scotland was the table (below) showing the breakdown of road casualties by local authority area.
Highland Council is the third worst in Scotland behind only the two largest cities of Edinburgh (588) and Glasgow in the top spot (772).
Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire MP Angus MacDonald responded to provisional figures showing for 2024, with Scotland “set to miss targets for a 50 per cent reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030”.
“160 lives lost on Scotland’s roads is 160 lives too many,” he said.
“I don’t want to see any more families left without loved ones because the Scottish Government continues to drag its heels when it comes to tackling dangerous trunk roads.
“It’s almost two decades since the SNP came to power pledging action to improve trunk roads in the North and North East, yet next to nothing has happened.
“Communities across Scotland deserve better than missed targets and deadlines. As a matter of public safety, our roads urgently need to be upgraded.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverness & Nairn, Neil Alexander said:
“As a long-time campaigner for upgrading the A9, A96 and A82, I believe that getting these vital road upgrades would have a real impact on road safety.
“I was too young to vote when the SNP first made these promises. If I am elected to the Scottish Parliament next year I will keep the pressure on ministers to deliver.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "Behind every one of these statistics is a person or a household that has been changed forever, and my thoughts are with the families and friends that have lost loved ones and those who’ve been injured.
“One life lost on our roads is one too many, and I want to reiterate that road safety remains an absolute priority for the Scottish Government.
“I updated parliament last year that fatal casualties were tracking above targets in 2024 and, sadly, the figures published today confirm an overall rise in casualties last year.
“However, I refuse to accept that people being killed or injured on our roads is inevitable and it is more important than ever that we continue to support the vital work of the Scottish Government and partners to save lives.
“We are increasing investment in road safety in this budgetary year to a record £48 million. This will help fund safety improvements on both trunk roads and local roads, high profile campaigns to raise awareness of key issues like speeding, seatbelts and drink/drug driving, as well as advancing the use of technology aimed at making our roads safer”.
She added: “These figures are a painful reminder of the challenge we face, but I remain absolutely determined to save lives and ensure we continue working towards our long-term vision of no-one being killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads by 2050."
