The number of people killed on London’s roads in 2021 fell to the lowest level on record, but collisions increased as lockdowns ended.
Transport for London (TfL) has published casualty statistics that show the number of people killed on London’s roads fell by 22% in 2021 - the lowest level on record - compared to a 7% increase nationally.
Despite this decrease, TfL said overall casualties have increased since the coronavirus lockdowns ended and traffic has returned.
As traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels, the number of people who were killed or seriously injured increased by 17%, rising from 3,070 in 2020 to 3,580 in 2021.
Vulnerable road users continue to be most at risk with people walking, cycling and motorcycling making up 81% of all people killed or seriously injured in 2021. The number of people killed while cycling in 2021 was down by 40% on the 2005-09 baseline, from 17 to 10 people. However, serious injuries to people cycling increased by 54%. This partly reflects increases in the number of journeys cycled, with the most recent figures showing the share of road journeys by bicycle almost doubling.
People riding motorcycles continued to be disproportionately involved in collisions resulting in fatal and serious injuries to themselves and to others, especially people walking. In 2021, motorcyclists accounted for less than 3% of vehicle kilometres travelled but 19% of fatalities. The greatest absolute increase in serious injuries was recorded among motorcyclists, notably smaller capacity motorcycles of 125cc or below.
Cars continued to be the main vehicle type involved in collisions in 2021, according to TfL figures. Cars were involved in 64% of all collisions resulting in death or injury, up from 62% in 2019.
In half of the 2021 fatal collisions in London, excess speed was a contributory factor.
