People in deprived areas twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured in road collisions, says TfL

Twice as many people were killed or seriously injured per kilometre of road in the capital’s most deprived 30% compared with the 30% least deprived areas. This is among the findings of research by Transport for London (TfL), which examined the disparities for those injured in road collisions within Greater London. 

The study found that men have over double the rate of fatal or serious injuries per thousand residents than women living in the most deprived 30% of London.

The highest casualty rates are among those in the 16-30 age group, followed by the 31- 59 age group.

Other findings include: 

• Young men (aged 16-30) living in the most deprived 30% of London, riding motorcycles have the highest killed or seriously injured rate (0.54 killed or seriously injured per 1,000 people), followed by young men (aged 16-30) living in the middle deprivation 40% of London, riding motorcycles (0.39 killed or seriously injured per 1,000 people) 

• People riding a motorcycle, cycling, or walking are at greatest risk of injury per journey in London and make up 80% of all those killed or seriously injured.

Comparing most deprived and least deprived areas, the highest disparity in KSIs was among pedestrians, the study found. There were 0.16 killed or serious injuries per 1,000 people living in the most deprived areas compared with 0.09 killed or serious injuries for people living in the least deprived areas.

The highest casualty and killed or seriously injured rate across age, sex, mode and deprivation level is male 16-30 motorcycle riders living in the most deprived 30% of London, the study found. This rate is double that of their least deprived counterparts. For women, the highest killed or seriously injured rate is found in over 70s pedestrians living in the most deprived 30%. 

The report speculates that the factors which could help explain differences between the most and least deprived areas include:

• Greater exposure to motorised vehicles in more deprived areas and/or exposure to higher speed roads

• mode of travel (choice)

• lower quality environments

• presence of parked cars on street

• children playing in the street 

• more licence for young males to travel independently 

The findings were based on analysis of the national STATS19 collisions dataset (2017-2021), Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) information and Office for National Statistics (ONS) census data.

Further analysis is needed to develop a deeper understanding of why the collisions are happening, states the report.

The report will be used to identify the locations where there is the highest rate of collisions and focus “engagement, education and communications with those who are most impacted by road danger”, said TfL.

The findings will help determine how investment funding is allocated over the lifetime of TfL’s Business Plan, the report says.

“TfL will share these findings and work in collaboration with London borough councils, police and other stakeholders seeking to narrow road traffic injury inequalities and continuing to strive to reduce harm overall as part of our Vision Zero ambition, of no death or serious injuries on the TfL transport network by 2041.”

Inequalities in road danger in London (2017 - 2021)