- 4,785 pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists killed or injured
- 1,524 serious injuries
- 179 fatalities
Despite a 9% reduction in total casualties since 2019, the most severe outcomes have remained stubbornly consistent. Over the past five years, 892 people have lost their lives in collisions involving goods vehicles commonly used in construction which is the equivalent of nearly one death every working day.
HGVs account for just 1.3% of licensed vehicles on UK roads, yet they are involved in 9.7% of all vulnerable road user fatalities. When LGVs are included, goods vehicles linked to construction activity are associated with more than one in five VRU deaths nationwide, a level of risk that remains deeply disproportionate.
While casualty numbers are down from a peak of over 5,500 in 2018, the pace of improvement is far too slow.
Recent calls from organisations such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) have reinforced the need for employers to take stronger action on road risk, particularly where work activity contributes to danger on public roads.
In construction, this risk is especially acute. CLOCS provides a practical, industry-led framework that enables clients, contractors and fleet operators to turn that commitment into measurable action by raising standards, improving vehicle safety and protecting vulnerable road users.
“Any reduction in casualties matters, but progress has clearly stalled when it comes to the most serious outcomes. Construction vehicles continue to be over-represented in fatal collisions, and that demands a stronger response.
Driver distraction and misjudgement remain major factors, but safety is a shared responsibility. The industry must continue to raise standards, alongside improving awareness and understanding of risk on our roads.”
“We’re seeing real leadership from parts of the industry, and with planning authorities and clients increasingly demanding CLOCS compliance, momentum is building. But change isn’t happening fast enough. Every organisation involved in construction logistics has a role to play in preventing these tragedies.”
Andy Brooke, CLOCS Programme Director
CLOCS is calling on more organisations to take responsibility for improving construction logistics safety.
Founded in 2012, CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety) brings together clients, contractors, fleet operators and regulators to reduce road risk and protect vulnerable road users through the CLOCS Standard.