Road deaths rise as safety campaign marks two years

West Yorkshire saw a rise in the number of road deaths last year, figures show, although there were fewer serious injuries.

There were 51 fatalities recorded in 2025, up from 40 the previous year and in line with the 51 seen in 2023, according to Department for Transport data.

But within the two-year period between 2023 and 2025, the region saw 192 fewer incidents of road users being seriously injured.

The data was released to mark the second anniversary of road safety campaign Vision Zero, which aims to reduce to zero the number of people killed or seriously injured on West Yorkshire's roads by 2040.

Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said that while he was "encouraged" to see a reduction in serious injuries, he admitted every death and serious injury on the region's roads was "one too many".

"Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community affected by a tragedy that could potentially have been prevented," he said.

Launched in 2024, the Vision Zero strategy brings together the work and resources of emergency services, local authorities, victim support services, road safety campaigners and National Highways.

The group said safety cameras had captured nearly 65,000 offences over the last year with "behaviour change often seen".

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: "Everyone deserves a safer West Yorkshire and it's great we're making progress.

"There is plenty left to do and we're under no illusion at the size of the task, but we stand firm that no-one should die or be seriously injured on our roads."

• Leeds saw 16 road deaths in 2025, up from 11 the previous year, with 445 serious injuries, down from 448
• Bradford recorded 10 deaths in 2025, one more than in 2024, with 279 serious injuries, down from 314
• In Wakefield there were 12 deaths in 2025, fewer than the 14 seen in 2024, while serious injuries fell from 195 to 172
• Across Calderdale, last year saw seven deaths, up from three in 2024, with 108 serious injuries, down from 132
• Kirklees recorded six deaths, up from three the previous year, with 206 serious injuries, down from 189.

Alison Lowe, chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: "One thousand, two hundred and ten people were seriously injured and 51 people were killed on West Yorkshire's roads in 2025.

"This marks a total reduction in serious collisions and those severely injured as result.

"However sadly we saw a rise in deaths from the year before, highlighting the need for sustained and co-ordinated action."

Lowe, whose sister Debbie was fatally injured in a collision in Leeds in 1965 aged three, added: "So far this year the numbers are lower than in 2025 which is good news, but we need everyone's help so please do your bit for road safety."

The two-year anniversary of Vision Zero will be marked with a free event later at People's Park in Halifax.

The event includes activities for young people who can view emergency vehicles and have bike safety checks carried out.

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