Child Pedestrian Road Deaths Higher in Poorer Areas
Official figures reveal a widening disparity in road casualties between England's most deprived and wealthiest communities over a decade.
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Children crossing roads are killed or seriously injured at a rate nearly five times higher in England's most deprived areas compared to the country's wealthiest locations. This disparity has grown over the last ten years, according to analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) figures.
In 2025, a total of 29,918 people were killed or seriously injured on Great Britain's roads. Of this number, 2,432 were children under the age of 16. The overall figure represents a 3% increase on the average recorded between 2022 and 2024, though fatalities fell by 4% to 1,538 during the same period.
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Deprivation and Risk
DfT analysis specifically examining accidents in England highlighted significant differences in casualty proportions based on area deprivation. More than 20% of child pedestrians who were killed or seriously injured resided in the 10% most deprived areas of the country. In contrast, only 4% of child pedestrian casualties came from the 10% least deprived areas.
The report on deprivation and road casualties in England also identified strong connections between deprivation and accidents involving all pedestrians and bus users. While the difference was less pronounced for car occupants, the DfT noted that individuals in more deprived areas have less exposure to roads, suggesting their risk is higher even with lower mileage.
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Other Road User Trends
Figures for Great Britain also indicated a rise in fatalities among motorcycle users, contrasting with a decrease in deaths for car drivers. The number of motorcyclists killed rose by 14%, from 325 in 2024 to 372 in 2025. Campaigners have called for a response to these figures.
Rebecca Guy of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents stated that the widening gap in road safety between deprived and affluent areas over the past decade is particularly concerning. She added that tackling inequality should be central to any government strategy aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries. This approach, she suggested, should involve directing investment and prevention efforts towards communities facing the greatest risks to ensure safe roads and journeys for everyone.
Motorcyclists are identified as one of the most vulnerable road user groups, and the statistics reinforce the need for targeted safety measures. Speeding was identified as a contributing factor in 52% of all recorded road deaths across Great Britain in the past year. The data also showed that males accounted for more than three-quarters of those killed in all accident types.
Statistically, motorways were the safest roads per mile travelled in 2025, accounting for 6% of fatalities despite carrying 21% of traffic. The Department for Transport was approached for comment.
Questions this report answers
+Why are child pedestrian deaths higher in poorer areas?
Child pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are nearly five times higher in England's most deprived areas than in wealthiest ones. This is because more than 20% of child pedestrian casualties came from the 10% most deprived areas, compared to just 4% from the least deprived areas.
+How many children were killed or seriously injured on roads in 2025?
In 2025, a total of 2,432 children under the age of 16 were killed or seriously injured on Great Britain's roads. This figure represents an increase of 3% compared to the average recorded between 2022 and 2024, despite a 4% drop in overall fatalities.
+What is the biggest risk factor in road deaths?
Speeding was a factor in 52% of all recorded road deaths in Great Britain in 2025. This highlights the urgent need for measures to reduce speeding, particularly in high-risk areas where deprivation increases vulnerability.
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