Road Traffic Collisions and Casualties 2023 Review

It is possible for two years to have the same number of collisions but very different numbers of casualties.  One collision can result in multiple casualties.

Collisions are the events that result in casualties.
 

 

During 2023 there were 162 people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads; 9 killed and 153 seriously injured.  This is a 19.8% decrease on 2022 (202 in 2022) and is below the 2010 /19 baseline average. 

During 2023, 9 people died whilst using roads in the Dorset Council area; this compares to 10 in 2022. The 2010/19 baseline average is 16.

Records are available from 1 January 1998.  In 2002 40 people died whilst using Dorset’s roads. This is the highest recorded figure. 2023 equals the lowest figure recorded of nine. This was previously recorded in 2010.    

Figures for 2023 show that four road user groups had fewer KSI casualties than in 2022. These were motorcycle users, pedestrians, cyclists and car users.    Child casualties and Young Car Driver user groups had more KSI casualties then in 2022

There are a wide variety of factors that influence the number of casualties on our roads. Many of these are outside the direct control of Dorset Council.
 

In addition to data on collisions resulting in fatal or serious injuries, Dorset Council also receives details for collisions resulting in slight injury. 

All collisions and casualties are an important consideration as they can be a better indicator of general trends due to the larger amount of data.

The total number of casualties (all severities) recorded in 2023 was 871.  This is a 9.4% decrease on 2022 (961 in 2022).

The total number of casualties in 2023 is below the 2010/19 average baseline of 1,243 by 23%.

 

  This decrease may have been due to less traffic being on the roads during the Covid pandemic. 

 

All collisions show a similar trend but with less notable changes.  This is perhaps to be expected as one collision can potentially result in any number of casualties.

The number of cyclists killed or seriously injured fell in 2023 against the 2022 figure and remains higher than the baseline (2010-2019 ten year average) figure. This year the KSI figure was 1 fatality and 11 serious injuries. This compares to no fatalities and 27 serious injuries in 2022. This trend is also reflected nationally. It is likely that there will be a higher level of under reporting of single vehicle pedal cyclist collisions. 

A reason for the increase in cyclists being seriously injured may be the pandemic and more people cycling for exercise, whilst all non-essential travel was banned during national lockdowns. Analysis of cycle count data suggest that cycle use in Dorset rose 86% in the decade following 2008 and has continued to rise in many parts of Dorset since.

 

All the cyclists killed during 2023 were adults.  There were 5 child cyclist KSI casualties.

Cyclists were identified as a priority group by the Dorset Road Safe Partnership. This group was subjected to a detailed review by the partnership which has influenced current campaigns and interventions.
 

 

2023 saw a decrease in the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured from the number in 2022 (from 52 to 49). The number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured has remained below the 2010/19 baseline figure.

No Motorcyclists were killed in 2023.

This group accounted for 30.3% of the total number of KSIs in 2023. This group, therefore, remains a priority.

During 2023, the majority of motorcyclists seriously injured were male users on larger cc machines.

 

The gender split is significant for motorcyclists. In 2023 of the 49 KSI casualties, 46 were male and three were female.  

Please find below motorcycle KSI casualties by age and gender 
 

 

Motorcyclists have been identified as a priority group by the Dorset Road Safe Partnership. There have been a number of focussed motorcycle campaigns and interventions. 

Please see below examples of the Bike Signs road safety campaign that takes place with Dorset Council support.
            
 

Car users account for the largest proportion of all people killed or seriously injured whilst using Dorset’s roads. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that cars account for the vast majority of all vehicles using the roads in Dorset.

There has been a slight decreasing trend in car users killed or seriously injured in recent years.

Below are charts showing the age breakdown by group for car drivers and car passengers who were killed or seriously injured in 2023 and 2022. 

 

There has been a decrease in the numbers of older car users that have been killed or seriously injured between 2022 and 2023. 

The most notable observation from the above charts is that young (17-24 year old) car users accounted for a much lower proportion of all car users killed or seriously injured in recent years when compared to the baseline figure (40). It is still high and one of the factors for this may be driver inexperience.  

The exact reasons for this are not possible to evidence with the available data. 
One suggestion is that the costs of driving have influenced the number of young car drivers learning to drive and the total miles travelled.
An additional reason could be that a greater proportion of young car drivers are now using vehicles which have more up-to-date safety features, but again this is not possible to establish with the available data.
 

People killed or seriously injured when using Dorset’s roads as a pedestrian have remained relatively level for many years.

There is a fairly even spread of casualties across all age groups. There have been no pedestrian casualties in the 33-43 and 55-64 year age groups. However, this should be read with caution as the number is relatively speaking low, therefore it is not clear whether this is a meaningful trend. There has been an increase in the pedestrian KSI casualties in the 22-32 year old age group. The KSI casualties in the other age groups shown have either decreased or stayed the same.
 

 

There was one pedestrian killed or seriously injured at a formal crossing.

Children (0-15 years) killed or seriously injured on Dorset’s Roads is relatively speaking low, 19 during 2023, although they are often perceived to be one of the most vulnerable and at risk groups.

No children were killed on the roads in Dorset during 2023. 
 

Contributory factors are recorded to offer a more detailed assessment of what influenced a collision occurring.  The table below shows the top 10 factors recorded for all collisions and for KSI collisions 2023. 

 

The contributory factor analysis shows that the vast majority of the most frequently recorded contributory factors are linked to human behaviour or error.

Please see below the figures for where impaired by alcohol or drugs (illicit or medicinal) have been identified as a contributory factor.

Casualties
Impaired by Alcohol 
Fatal 3 = 13% of total 
Serious 13 = 5.3%
Slight 21 = 3.4%

Impaired by drugs (illicit or medicinal)
Fatal 3 = 4.3%
Serious 7 = 2.9%
Slight 3 = 0.4%

With the updating of the Stats19 information, Contributory Factors are being replaced by Road Safety Factors. Some of the old contributory factor categories are being merged. This will reduce the number of factors e.g. 

B – Behaviour or inexperience 
B1 - Driver / rider illegal turn / direction of travel or failed to comply with traffic sign / signal 

This will replace CFs 301 (disobeyed automatic traffic signal), 302 (Disobeyed Give Way or Stop signs or markings) and 305 (illegal turn or direction of travel)

R – Roads
R4 – Drivers/riders viewed obscured by vegetation, buildings, layout or road signs.

This will replace CFs 702 (Vegetation), 703 (Road layout (e.g. bend, winding road, hill crest), 704 (Buildings, road signs, street furniture), 108 (Road layout (e.g. bend, hill, narrow carriageway), also maybe 106 (Traffic calming e.g. speed cushions, road humps, chicanes) and 107 (temporary road layout e.g. contraflow).
 

There were nine Fatalities in 2023.  5 of these were male and 4 were female.

There were no child fatalities in 2023.

The chart below shows the gender split between all user groups for both fatal and serious accidents for 2023.
 

 

The gender split is much more significant for cyclists and motorcyclists; for 2023 there was close to an 92 / 8% split between male and female cyclist KSI casualties and the split was close to 94 / 6% for motorcyclist serious casualties.

Below are gender breakdown comparisons for pedal cyclists and motorcyclists for 2023; figures are typically similar for most years.
 

 

 

The earliest date that detailed road traffic collision data is available for Dorset is January 1998.

Between January 1998 and December 2023, a total of 590 people lost their lives whilst using Dorset’s roads, 18 were children, 93 were pedestrians, 31 were pedal cyclists, 129 were motorcyclists and 303 were car users.

The average number of fatalities per year between 1998 and 2007 (10 years) was 29. Between 2011 and 2020 (10 years) the average had decreased to 17.

There were 9 people killed on Dorset’s roads in 2023. There were 5 car user fatalities, 3 pedestrians, 1 pedal cyclist. This compares with 10 in 2021 and 17 for the 2010/19 baseline average.  No motorcyclists or children were killed on Dorset’s roads in 2023.

Of the five car user fatalities, 4 were men and 1 was a woman. 2 of the casualties were car drivers and 3 were passengers. Four of the car user fatalities were aged between 25-64, two were the car driver. The other fatality was aged between 17- 24.

When the contributory factor information for 2023 fatal collisions is looked at, the major factors recorded are as follows. Three people were exceeding the speed limit and three people did a poor turn or manoeuvre and three people were impaired by alcohol.

 

 

One person killed or injured on Dorset’s roads is one too many. 

The majority of all collisions that occurred in the Dorset council area occurred within 30 and 60 mph limits.

 

It is a similar picture for KSI collisions but with a lesser percentage occurring in 30mph limits than for all collisions.

 

Each year we use the collision and casualty data received to help identify any areas where works might be required to help reduce the number of collisions and casualties on Dorset’s roads. This is done by both Cluster Site and Rural Route Analysis.

The 2023 cluster site analysis has been run and is currently being analysed.

For Rural Route Analysis we sort the updated data on KSI collisions per mile followed by all collisions per mile and look at the top routes. We would also look at any routes that have a % KSI total collisions per mile figure of 50% and over. If a route appears in numerous years a decision may be made to look at some of the other routes identified. This may occur because when measures are implemented it can take a while for the benefits of any improvements made to be felt and the data changes depending on what five years data you are using.

The plan below shows the locations of cluster sites visited using the 2022 data.

2022 Top Ten Cluster Sites based on financial impact using DfT costings are as follows

 

• A354 950m/1km from Jurassic Roundabout £3,590,113
• C6/A31 junction £3,434,453
• A35 at Eype £3,092,223
• A35 Crown Roundabout £1,151,218
• Canford Bottom Roundabout £1,058,044
• West Stafford Bypass £995,558
• A35 at White Way - £964,426
• Parley Cross £933,516
• Bakers Arms £842,032.
• Top o’Town £777,856

The cluster site visits for 2023 were determined by sites that have 4 or more injury collisions within 30 metres of each other. The analysis is run using the latest five full calendar years of collision data. For 2023 cluster sites this was January 2019 – December 2023.

Our Collision Reduction Technical Officers will assess these locations in partnership with Dorset Police which may include a site visit to establish any patterns and consider simple preventative mitigations and if necessary, liaise with other Teams such as Asset and the Highways Improvement Team to develop solutions for more complex locations.

75 cluster sites were identified and reviewed using the 2022 data. Of these, 40 cluster sites were visited. Various measures were identified to make improvements at these locations. These measures included lining works, both new and remarking of worn lines, signage, drainage, visibility and vegetation cut back.

There may be no obvious engineering solutions that can be put in place.

We have invested in some warning signs that can be used on these routes to warn drivers of cluster sites and advising them to take care and slow down. These have been produced with our partners at Dorset Roadsafe.

 

These signs have been erected at three locations across the county – Clatcombe Lane near Sherborne, A354 at Thornicombe and the A354 at Thickthorn Cross. It is envisaged that these signs will stay in-situ for two years and will then be moved to other locations.

Collision and casualty figures are collated annually for each south west authority in order to understand the wider context.

Charts below show the comparisons between the authorities within the south west for fatal, serious and slight collisions for 2023.

 

The average casualty figures across the South West region for 2022 are 10 Fatal, 121 Serious and 511 Slight. We are below average for fatal casualties (9).

The trunk road network in the Dorset Council area is:

• A31, entire length from Bere Regis to Hampshire border
• A35, from Bere Regis to Devon border
• A303, approx. two miles at Bourton, North Dorset.

 

The trunk road network is managed by National Highways.

The trunk road network accounts for approximately 2.4% of the total road network in the county.

Collisions on the trunk road in 2023 accounted for 11% (18) of all KSI casualties and 13.9% (121) of the total number of casualties in the Dorset Council area.

The A35 trunk road accounted for the greatest proportion of all trunk road casualties during 2023.

Generally, there is a relatively even split between the A35 and the A31; during 2023 the majority of trunk road KSI casualties were on the A35; 86.7%, 13 of 18 KSI casualties. There were no fatal casualties on the trunk roads in 2023.

Fatalities on the trunk road network during the last five years have accounted for just 9% of all road traffic fatalities in the Dorset Council area.

The Department for Transport cites weather as an important factor in influencing the number of collisions and  casualties, particularly with regards to more vulnerable road users. 

Analysis suggests that years with higher than average ‘poor’ weather often have a lower number of casualties than years with better weather.  The main reason for this is likely due to there being less journeys being made on foot, bicycle or motorcycle resulting in lower levels of exposure to risk.  An additional reason is that, generally speaking, drivers adjust their behaviour more notably during poor weather than when it is fine and dry, but it is difficult to evidence this. 

It is important to consider that these findings are based on national data so local impacts may be less apparent.

An increasing population will almost inevitably bring with it more traffic.  Each person is a user of the highway network, directly and indirectly.

The chart below shows the mid-year population figures for the Dorset council area including future projections. Figures are not yet available for 2023.

Source Mid-Year Estimates, Office for National Statistics

More people living in Dorset and the potential increase in traffic is likely to impact on the number of collisions and casualties due to the greater exposure to risk.

 

Whilst the number of collisions/casualties may increase the rate per number of vehicles may decrease. 

As mentioned earlier traffic flows are an important indicator of demand placed on the highway network. 

There is evidence of economic performance correlating with road traffic casualties.  Periods of strong economic performance and growth generally correlate to increases in road traffic casualties and vice versa.  One of the reasons is economic growth leads to a greater number of journeys being made for work and also for leisure; in short, more journeys increase the exposure to risk.

In recent years a reduction in traffic flows has correlated with a reduction in collisions/casualties and vice versa.  This reduction may be due in part to less traffic being on the roads during Covid and people going into lock down and having to self isolate

The chart below shows the changes in the amount of traffic using Dorset’s roads between 1983 and 2023.

 

 

Since 1993, the valuation of both fatal and non-fatal casualties has been based on a consistent willingness to pay (WTP) approach. This approach encompasses all aspects of the valuation of casualties, including the human costs, which reflect pain, grief and suffering; the direct economic costs of lost output and the medical costs associated with road accident injuries.

In addition to casualty related costs for each accident there are also costs related specifically to accidents, comprising of damage to property, police costs, and the costs of insurance administration.

The value of each of these cost elements is determined separately and then combined to produce overall values of costs per casualty for different levels of severity. This note provides an overview of how these costs are estimated.

The table below shows the costs of collisions and casualties in the Dorset Council area for 2023. 

Source of data: Department for Transport (DfT)

There are no substantial monetary savings that Dorset Council can make directly from reducing the number of road traffic collisions. 

However, efforts made to prevent collisions can act as an economic generator.

 

• Fewer collisions result in fewer delays.

 

• Fewer collisions result in fewer working days lost.

 

• Fewer deaths on Dorset’s roads result in people continuing to contribute to the economy.

For information on what Dorset Council does to improve road safety, please read the Road Safety Plan  

Dorset Council supports a number of driver and rider training courses for both car drivers and motorcyclists, details can be found on our Dorset Council web pages

We run cycle training for children through our Bikeability courses.

Adult Cycle Training is also available.

Dorset Council has a “'Report a non-injury collision / near miss” online form on the Dorset Council website. This enables members of the public to report non-injury collisions and near misses that we may not otherwise be aware of. This gives us a fuller picture of what is happening in Dorset. All personal injury collisions that occur must be reported to Dorset Police.

Details of personal injury collisions, reported to Dorset police, can also be found on line, on our Road Traffic Collision  map 

Further details regarding 2022 collision data can be found here.

For further details on the information in this document or for general road safety queries please contact the Road Safety Team on roadsafety@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk