Two fatal or serious injury crashes each day in 2025: Police data

Paul JonesMarch 6, 20260 Comment0

TWO serious or fatal crashes occurred each day in the Avon & Somerset Police area in 2025, new data reveals.

A total of 711 collisions in which at least one person was killed or seriously injured took place across the force area last year, with 44 fatalities, meaning the number of people who died on the force’s roads last year averaged at more than three each month.

Newly-analysed data shows the leading contributory factors in the crashes align with the Fatal Five behaviours known to cause the most serious harm on Somerset and UK roads: excessive speed, distraction, alcohol/drugs, careless/dangerous driving, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Avon & Somerset Police said poor observation by a driver, rider or pedestrian was the most commonly recorded causation factor, contributing to 38% of collisions, followed by a driver or rider exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions, which contributed to 34%.

A driver or rider being affected by drugs or alcohol played a role in 15% of crashes, while driver/rider distraction played a role in 11%.

Most collisions involved more than one contributing factor, the police said.

Around 50 of the casualties involved in fatal and serious injury collisions are believed not to been wearing a seatbelt.

Roads Policing Inspector, Matt Boiles, said: “More than 700 fatal or serious injury collisions took place on our roads last year. That is not just a statistic. It represents families and communities shattered and people whose lives have been permanently changed.

“In so many cases, split-second lapses in concentration or risky decisions have combined with devastating consequences.

“The vast majority of serious collisions we attend involve behaviours that are entirely preventable. When people choose to speed, drive carelessly or recklessly, use their phone at the wheel or get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, they are taking a risk not just with their own life, but with the lives of others.”

Young drivers also feature significantly in the statistics, with around one-in-four fatal crashes involving a rider or driver 25 and under.

The data comes as a new National Road Safety Strategy, announced by the government in January, includes proposals aimed at safeguarding inexperienced drivers, including plans for a minimum learning period to ensure motorists gain sufficient experience before driving independently.

Avon & Somerset Police action to tackle the causes of crashes included officers making 2,567 arrests for drink or drug driving offences in 2025, with people 25 to 34 the most common age group. Around 158,000 people were prosecuted for a speeding offence during the course of the year.

Insp Boiles added: “We do not want to be knocking on doors to deliver devastating news. Every serious collision we see is one too many.

“These figures show why we continue to focus on the Fatal Five and why we are asking everyone to take responsibility for the way they use our roads.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Clare Moody, said: “Families across our communities are living with the lasting impact of split‑second decisions on our roads. Much of this harm is preventable, and we all share responsibility for keeping each other safe.

“The Government’s new Road Safety Strategy is aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries. I am committed to help deliver on that commitment.”

People can report suspected drink and drug drivers by calling 999, or use an anonymous online form.