New figures reveal that 2 people a week were killed or seriously injured on the Isle of Wight’s roads during 2024 – with a total of 305 casualties recorded across the year.
The latest Department for Transport statistics show a year-on-year rise in the number of people hurt on the roads, up from 292 in 2023 to 305 in 2024.
A breakdown of the figures shows 5 people were tragically killed, 103 seriously injured, and 197 slightly injured. Men accounted for 65.9% of all casualties.
According to the official Government statistics, 51 of those seriously or fatally injured were car occupants, while motorcyclists accounted for 31. Pedestrians made up 16 of the most serious cases, followed by 8 cyclists, 2 bus passengers and 1 van occupant.
Despite the widespread belief that young drivers are responsible for the most serious crashes, the data suggests otherwise. 71 of those injured were aged over 60, making up 23.3% of the total. The worst-affected age group was those aged 40-49, who accounted for 3 deaths, 14 serious injuries and 17 slight injuries.
Although serious injuries were most common on Wednesdays, accounting for 18.35% of all cases, 80% of the fatalities occurred at the weekend. The most dangerous time of day was 15:00, when 13.83% of serious injuries and 13.07% of slight injuries occurred.
Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), has said:
“These figures are a stark reminder that progress on road safety has stalled, and lives are being lost unnecessarily. It is essential that the upcoming national road safety strategy contains the measures and resources needed to prevent road traffic collisions.
“RoSPA’s recent Safer Lives, Stronger Nation report highlights the need for a joined-up, evidence-led approach, including graduated driver licensing for young drivers, lower drink-driving limits, better enforcement, and safer road design. Road death is preventable, and with evidence-based solutions, we can reverse this decade of stagnation.”
Following the statement in the article “Although the data suggests otherwise” it is then followed by figures that show 76.3% of those involved were UNDER the age of 60.
There is no info on who was driving though.
info on how many were drugged and drunk would be nice to see, can that be obtained?
Depends where you get your data from.
The actual figures for Hampshire & the Isle of Wight (not JUST the IoW) are 5 deaths 114 serious injuries and 251 slightly injured.
Table 9: Reported road casualties by age group and sex in Great Britain, 2024 compared with 2023 and 2014
The “Over 70 bias” is disproven by the national statistics which show that 9,999 over 70 (or just under 8%) out of a total of 126,812,were involved in any road accident.
Unfortunately, road accidents are often used to scapegoat certain demographics.
Quite why this is, is not only puzzling, but very hurtful for the victims.
Well said, Eggy.
We so need regular Traffic Police or Police on motorbikes on our roads.
Interceptors but on the Isle of Wight.
Or bring back the speed cameras and more of them.
Every time we go out there is someone tail gating us or speeding.
Someone was driving the other day with a dog on her lap, see people on their phones. The Island roads are just so dangerous and people just break the law left right and centre.
These statistics here will not surprise people.
I have been stating the obvious for ages
SPEEDING IS RIFE ON THE ISLAND
It’s about time something was done.
Install speed cameras and speed humps
Rollout 20mph and anyone breaking the rules
issue them with heavy fines.
How many more persons need to die before someone
does something about speeding on the island!
That’s strange I drive between sandown and east Cowes near enough every day and 9 times out of 10 I end up following terrible driver who dive between 35 and 40 mph all the,, through the 30 , 40 ,50 and 60 mph roads, these are the dangerous drivers
“Despite the widespread belief that young drivers are responsible for the most serious crashes, the data suggests otherwise”
It doesn’t actually suggest anything about those causing the accidents, only those injured. Even then it does not account for the fact that an elderly person is more likely to be injured in even a minor accident than a younger fit one.
Without context those statistics are just numbers totalling tragedy but little else.
It is the young numpties in their STs and Audi’s
who speed along many Roads.
SPEEDING IS RIFE ON THE ISLAND
It’s about time something was done.
Install speed cameras and speed humps
Rollout 20mph and anyone breaking the rules
issue them with heavy fines.
How many more persons need to die before someone
does something about speeding on the island!
We need more traffic law on the island, why we
pay council tax I have no idea!
The heavy fines will pay for the extra Police required
also rollout islandwide parking permit charges to
help pay for the extra Police and if the island is still
short charge a congestion and ULEZ charge on the
island.
Let’s face it there are too many dirty diesel and petrol
vehicles on this small island.
Very strange,, speed limits are lower than they have ever been, car safety features are better than ever, admittedly there are more DRUG drivers on the roads but it’s TIME for the police to concentrate on poor and slow driving instead of picking the easy option of speeding.
Speeding kills!
“FACT”
Best way to make roads safe is to put in safety
measures.
The numpties responsible for island roads think
by putting speed signs up or markings on the roads
motorists will respect the rules
MOTORISTS DON’T!, majority of motorists drive
so fast they don’t see the signs.
Speed cameras, speed humps and traffic calming
stops motorists speeding.
My advice to the persons in charge of island Roads
take a visit to the big smoke and see how safe the roads are.
20mph works and saves lives!