An increase in the number of road fatalities and serious casualties on London’s roads during 2017 has brought added impetus to road safety plans for the capital.

TfL said the figures show the need for its new Vision Zero approach to road safety

The new figures – published as DfT data shows progress on reducing road fatalities across the UK has also stagnated – reveal that 131 people were killed on greater London roads last year, up by 15 compared to 2016, which was the lowest level on record. Serious casualties were up from 2,385 to 3,750 (a 1% increase), with TfL saying this was down to new reporting systems. However, there was a 2% fall in slight casualties to 28,686 while total casualties were down 1% to 32,567.

TfL said the figures reaffirm the need for the Mayor’s Vision Zero ambition to eliminate all death and serious injuries from London’s roads by 2041. The plan includes the introduction of lower speed limits on TfL’s road network – with a new 20mph blanket speed limit on the cards – as well as transforming dangerous junctions and introducing tough safety standards for the design of HGVs and a comprehensive bus safety programme, including speed-limiting technology and a new driving course for all drivers.

Lilli Matson, director of transport strategy at TfL, said: “These new figures show why our Vision Zero approach is so important. We refuse to accept that any death or serious injury on London’s roads is acceptable or inevitable and will continue to work with the police and all boroughs to meet our target of eliminating all death and serious injury from London’s roads by 2041.”