Latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics show that there were 1, 680 people killed in the year ending March 2013, a 10% reduction from 1, 870 in the year ending March 2012. The number of people killed or seriously injured also fell to 23, 660, a 6% decrease.

Cyclist casualties are down 23% on the previous year as well as motorcyclist casualties down 27% – although the extreme winter conditions in Q1 2013 are likely to have had an effect on these reductions. 

The news has been welcomed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: ‘It would seem to be good news with continued sustained falls in car occupant casualties and falls in all vulnerable categories for example pedestrians, bikers and cyclists.”

‘It is clear that the continued economic downturn (with falling traffic levels) and poor weather are the main causes.  The economy is showing signs of improvement and we are having a fantastic summer so we cannot be complacent.

‘The IAM welcomes this good news for the start of 2013 but the real test will come when we see what happened over the spring and summer when cycling in particular will have been much more popular.’