Child pedestrian deaths are almost five times higher in England’s worst-off areas

Official figures expose widening gap in road deaths and injuries between poor and wealthy postcodes

The number of children killed or injured crossing roads is almost five times higher in England’s most deprived areas than its wealthiest, official analysis suggests.

Department for Transport figures show a widening gap over the past 10 years in road casualties between those living in the poorest 10% of postcodes and the most affluent 10%.

The number of people reported killed or seriously injured across Great Britain’s roads went up to 29,918 in 2025, 2,432 of whom were under 16. The total was 3% above the 2022-24 average while fatalities fell 4% to 1,538.

DfT analysis of where the most serious accidents in England occurred showed stark differences in the proportion of casualties from poorer and wealthier areas, particularly among younger people.

More than 20% of child pedestrians killed or injured lived in the most deprived 10% of areas, compared with 4% living in the least deprived, according to the DfT report on deprivation and road casualties in England.

It found strong links between casualties and deprivation for all pedestrians and bus users. The difference is less stark for car occupants, but mileage is higher in wealthier postcodes, which the analysts said “suggests that the risk for car occupants is much higher for the most deprived income deciles even though they have less exposure”.

The overall British figures released by the government showed fatalities continued to rise for motorcycle users, countering the falling death toll for car drivers.

Campaigners said the 14% rise – from 325 deaths in 2024 to 372 last year – needed a response.

Rebecca Guy of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “It is particularly concerning that the gap between the most and least deprived areas has widened over the last decade.

“If the government is serious about reducing road deaths and serious injuries, tackling inequality must be at the heart of its approach.

“That means targeting investment and prevention efforts toward the communities at greatest risk, ensuring everyone has access to safe roads, safe infrastructure and safe journeys.”

Motorcyclists were one of the most vulnerable groups on the roads and the figures reinforced the need for targeted action to improve their safety, she said.

Speeding was a factor in 52% of recorded deaths on Great Britain’s roads last year. More than three-quarters of those killed across all types of accidents were male, the figures show.

Motorways were statistically the safest roads per mile travelled in 2025 – accounting for only 6% of fatalities despite carrying 21% of traffic.

A DfT spokesperson said: “Everyone should feel safe on our roads, no matter where they live.

“Our road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, recognises that people from deprived areas can face higher risks on the road. That’s why it aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries for all road users. We will keep track of the strategy’s impact, including how it affects people in more deprived areas to make sure measures are fair to all communities.”

The headline on this article was amended on 30 July 2026. An earlier version said that child pedestrian deaths were almost five times higher in England’s worst-off areas; it should have said casualties.