Scotland’s road deaths rise for first time in a decade

Deaths on Scotland’s roads have increased for the first time in nearly a decade, new figures reveal.

Research shows that the number of people killed is at its highest since 2006 with a jump in pedestrian and motorcyclist deaths causing the increase.

The figures, collated from police statements and media reports, revealed that the total number of road deaths last year was 179 seven more than the official Scottish Government figure for 2013.

The data shows that in 2013, 38 pedestrians were killed on Scotland’s roads.

By the end of 2014, this had increased by almost 50% to 54 people.

They included six killed in the Glasgow bin lorry crash in December last year’s worst incident and three spectators who died at the Jim Clark Rally in the Borders in May.

The motorcyclist death toll also increased by 25% from 23 in 2013 to 29 last year.