Key Items of Interest
Provisional Casualty Figures Show Mixed Picture
The Department for Transport’s provisional figures for 2025 show 1,556 road fatalities, a 3% reduction compared with 2024. However, the number of people killed or seriously injured increased by 4%, while overall casualty numbers remained largely unchanged.
Motorcyclist fatalities rose by 13% for the second consecutive year, while pedestrian fatalities fell by 9%. The figures demonstrate that although some progress is being made, improving road safety across all road user groups remains a significant challenge.
Learner Drivers Leveraging Family Support
Research from Tempcover suggests more families are supporting learner drivers with supervised practice outside professional lessons. Parents cited helping learners gain confidence and progress more quickly as the main reasons for getting involved.
Additional practice gives learners valuable experience across a wider variety of roads and driving conditions while complementing the structured coaching provided by professional instructors. The findings reinforce the benefits of collaboration between ADIs and supervising drivers.
Serious Concerns over Driver Distractions
New RAC research highlights continued concerns around mobile phone use behind the wheel, with some motorists admitting to watching videos, browsing social media and using the internet while driving.
Despite tougher penalties, distracted driving continues to present a significant road safety risk. The findings underline the importance of helping learners understand that safe driving requires full concentration and that even hands-free technology can become a distraction.
Driver Fatigue Continues to Be Underestimated
Road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist has renewed calls for greater awareness of driver fatigue, which is estimated to contribute to up to one in five collisions on major roads and motorways.
Fatigue is particularly common during the early hours of the morning and mid-afternoon. Helping learners recognise the warning signs and understand when to stop and rest remains an important part of developing safe driving habits.
Red Light Running Still Poses a Major Risk
Recent figures from Scotland recorded more than 14,000 red light offences between January 2023 and March 2026, reinforcing concerns that dangerous behaviour at junctions remains widespread.
Road safety organisations continue to call for stronger education, better junction design and consistent enforcement. The reminder that an amber light means prepare to stop, rather than accelerate, remains an important message for every learner driver.
Final Thoughts for ADIs
July’s report reinforces that improving road safety relies on more than enforcement alone. High-quality driver education, continued learning after the test and encouraging safer attitudes behind the wheel all have an important role to play.
From casualty trends and driver distraction to fatigue, learner development and novice driver safety, the issues highlighted this month demonstrate the continued value of professional driver training in helping create safer, more responsible road users.
The Traffic Safety Roads bulletin is produced by Graham Feest, a highly respected road safety consultant with more than 50 years’ experience in road safety, driver training and transport policy. A former County Road Safety Officer and Head of Road Safety at IAM RoadSmart, Graham continues to support the profession through his roles as President of the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving and Road Safety Advisor to the ADINJC.
Share This: