The latest STATS19 road collision data reveals a stubbornly high toll of deaths and injuries among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists involved in crashes with vehicles typically used in construction.

While there has been an 11% drop in total casualties over five years, serious injuries and fatalities remain alarmingly high. In 2023 alone:

• 4,908 vulnerable road users (VRUs) were killed or injured in collisions with construction-type goods vehicles.
• 1,612 suffered serious injuries, and 169 lost their lives.

Over the past five years, 900 people have died—that’s one life lost nearly every day.

Despite HGVs making up just 1.3% of UK traffic, they are involved in 9.4% of all VRU fatalities. When combined with LGVs, that number jumps to over 20% of all VRU deaths—a disproportionate risk that cannot be ignored.

Back in 2018, the number killed or injured was over 5,500 so there has been progress, just not enough.

Andy Brooke, CLOCS Programme Director, says urgent action is needed:

Any drop in casualties is a step in the right direction, but the numbers remain far too high. Construction vehicles are still overrepresented in fatal crashes. Driver distraction and misjudgement are major factors – but VRU behaviour also plays a role. The industry must step up to raise safety standards, and the public must also be educated to be more aware of the risks.

CLOCS calls on more organisations to take responsibility:

We’re working with some of the most forward-thinking companies in construction to drive change, but we need more leaders to step up. With planning authorities and clients increasingly demanding CLOCS compliance, momentum is building but progress needs to be faster. Every company has a role to play in making our roads safer.

CLOCS was founded in 2012 to improve safety in construction logistics. By working with planning authorities, clients, contractors, and fleet operators, the CLOCS Standard is driving safer construction vehicle journeys and protecting vulnerable road users.

Join the movement, visit www.clocs.org.uk today and sign your company up.