Number of road deaths and injuries in the West Midlands reduced, data reveals
The number of people killed or seriously injured on West Midlands roads has significantly reduced, according to new data.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster today (July 22) told members of the accountability and governance board that real progress has been made in improving road safety in the last year.
According to statistics, between January and July in 2025, there were 471 people killed or seriously injured – an 18 per cent drop from the same period in 2024 when there were 575.
Mr Foster said, despite the reduction, the number remained too high and added he remained committed to tackling the issue.
In 2024, a road safety emergency was declared following a string of incidents which resulted in the deaths or serious injuries of people in Birmingham.
A Regional Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2030 was devised by the commissioner, West Midlands Police and the region’s Mayor Richard Parker setting out actions that would be taken.
The objective is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads by 50 per cent by 2030 and ‘Vision Zero’ by 2040.
Mr Foster, said: “Improving road safety is one of my top priorities. I am committed to preventing and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and reducing the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads.
“In the first half of 2024, during the months of January to July, there were 575 people who were killed or seriously injured on West Midlands roads.
“However, during the same time period in 2025, that number reduced by 18 per cent to 471. That reduction is of course welcome. However, let me be clear, that number is clearly still far too high. I am not in the least complacent.
“We all need to continue to collectively commit to constant and unremitting action to do what it takes to improve road safety in the West Midlands and aim for Vision Zero by 2040.
“A factor that will undoubtedly have contributed to that reduction is that West Midlands Police has tripled the number of careless, dangerous and reckless motorists it is bringing to justice from 1,800 per week to 5,000 per week.
“By April next year, that number is due to hit 7,000. This is in part, as a consequence of the investment that both the Chief Constable and I have made, including additional police officers and staff allocated to roads policing and my having doubled the number of mobile speed enforcement camera vans.
“I made it clear a year ago we needed to ensure that we were bringing more careless, reckless and dangerous drivers to justice, particularly those driving at excess speed – and now we are, which is pleasing.
“I commend and thank the Chief Constable and all police officers and staff within roads policing, for all their commitment, dedication and hard work. That is contributing to improved road safety across the West Midlands.”
