The latest Reported Road Casualties publication released by Transport Scotland in October this year makes for encouraging reading. Progress on road safety is apparent from the data, with an overall reduction in the number of people killed or injured in reported road collisions in 2025.
However, there is an important question to ask here: are the findings an accurate reflection of road safety improvements in Scotland? With data in the publication inclusive only of reported instances, does this paint a true picture of the current state of road safety in Scotland?
Why are some road accidents and injuries not reported to the police?
Road traffic accidents are not always reported to the police, even when vehicles have been damaged. There are several reasons for this, including a lack of awareness of legal reporting requirements, the circumstances surrounding the accident, disagreements between drivers, and concerns about insurance consequences.
Although many minor road traffic incidents are dealt with directly between the people involved, it is important to understand that not every accident can legally be handled privately.
Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers involved in qualifying collisions have a duty to stop and provide contact and insurance information to one another. If they do not do this, they must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours.
Police Scotland guidance highlights mandatory reporting should only apply if
- Someone involved in the accident has been injured
- Damage to walls, parked vehicles or other roadside infrastructure is apparent
- The other drivers involved refuse to exchange personal and insurance details
- A serious driving offence is suspected, such as drink or drug driving
Scotland’s road safety strategy
The data showcased in the recent Reported Road Casualties Report is impressive and not to be overlooked. The Scottish Government’s vision, as laid out in their “Road Safety Framework to 2030” campaign, is for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world, and the results published last week are a positive indicator that this may be achievable.
However, acknowledging the disparity between official road safety statistics and the actual number of road accidents taking place in Scotland is essential for tracking an effective road safety strategy reinforced with accurate evidence.
Police-reported collision data provides an important picture of road safety across Scotland, but it does not necessarily capture every accident, particularly those involving minor injuries that are never brought to the attention of the police.
If policymakers rely exclusively on reported accidents, they risk underestimating the true scale of road casualties.
Recognising this disparity helps ensure that Scotland’s road safety strategy reflects what is actually happening on the roads, rather than simply what is being reported.
