In 2022, there were 2,059 reported road casualties in Norfolk, according to figures from the Department of Transport. This marked an increase from the previous year, when 1,801 casualties were reported. However, the number was lower than in 2019, before the pandemic, which saw 2,266 road casualties. The data also revealed that 41 people lost their lives in road accidents, up from 19 in 2021. It is important to note that 2021 included periods of Covid lockdown, which significantly reduced traffic levels.
Of the reported casualties, 432 people were seriously injured. The report highlights that there has been no significant improvement in road crash fatality figures in Norfolk since around 2010, excluding the impact of Covid lockdowns. The most common causes of fatal collisions in the region were loss of control and failing to look properly. One notable accident this year involved three fatalities on the A47 near Runcton, for which a drug driver, Aurelijus Cielevicius, was jailed.
Rod Dennis, a road safety spokesman for RAC, remarked that the rise in casualties is a reminder that there is still much work to be done to improve road safety. Despite having some of the safest roads in Europe statistically, there is a shared responsibility among drivers to keep each other safe. This is particularly pertinent in light of the 12 fatal accidents resulting in 15 deaths that occurred in Norfolk during the first three months of this year. Police issued a plea to drivers following these incidents, emphasizing that individual choices on the road impact the lives of those around them.
Chief Inspector Jon Chapman, the roads policing chief in Norfolk, stressed the importance of responsible decision-making while driving. He stated that rushing decision-making at junctions or failing to spot hazards can have dire consequences for both the driver and others on the road. These statements highlight the need for increased awareness and vigilance among drivers to prevent further fatalities on Norfolk’s roads. Overall, these findings emphasize the ongoing need for efforts to improve road safety and reduce the number of casualties in the region.
