People living in London’s more deprived areas are twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured in road collisions than those living in wealthier areas, new research reveals.
A new report published by Transport for London (TfL) has found that the 30% most deprived postcodes have more than double the number of casualties per kilometre compared with the least deprived 30%.
The study also found that the more deprived the area someone lives in, the higher the risk they will be injured or killed in a road traffic collision wherever they are travelling in the capital, with people from the 30% most deprived home postcodes having nearly double the risk of people from the least deprived 30%.
The 16-30 age group has the highest casualty risk across all modes and all deprivation levels, and for all age groups, the risk is higher amongst the most deprived population.
Men and boys were found to have a higher risk of death and serious injury in road collisions than women and girls with a baseline risk of 0.53 per 1,000 population compared to 0.22.
Men living in the most deprived postcodes are nearly three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in road collisions than women living in the same areas.
Lilli Matson, TfL's chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said: ‘This new data on inequalities on the road network shows that it is more important than ever to double down on our Vision Zero goal of eliminating deaths and serious injury from London’s roads.
‘Protecting everyone on the road is a priority for us and we will continue to research how road risk varies for certain groups of Londoners and engage with boroughs, police and other stakeholders to reduce these inequalities.
‘Without safe streets we know that people won’t choose the most healthy and sustainable modes of transport and there is still much more to do to eradicate road deaths and serious injuries. We are determined to make London a greener, more sustainable and safer city for everyone.’
Mayor Philip Glanville, London Councils executive member for Climate Change, Transport and Environment, commented: ‘Every death on our roads is tragic and unacceptable. We know that traffic collisions, and the fear of traffic collisions, influence the way people choose to travel in the capital. By collectively committing to the Vision Zero goal, we can create a safer London which in turn means a healthier, more active, greener and cleaner London.
‘It is vital we continue to champion this approach in a truly inclusive way that recognises the diversity of London, the inequalities within the transport system, and the impact this has on the risks faced by Londoners as they live and work in our capital. By understanding the data and lived experience of our communities, we can and must do more, redoubling our efforts to reduce road danger until there are no deaths on the capital’s roads.’
