In 2005 deaths on Scottish roads at 286 were the lowest since 1952.

Total casualties in Scotland were 17,821 - also the lowest figure since the early 1950s.

Between 1995 and 2005, there has been a 30% drop in road fatalities in Scotland, down from 409 to 286.

Scotland's death rate of 60 per million population is the fifth lowest in 31 countries, including England, Wales, most European nations and the United States.

In 2000 Britain came second only to Sweden in having the lowest rate of road fatalities in the world. In 1998 Britain had the lowest road death rate of any industrialised country, with the number of deaths being less than when records began in 1926.

In the four years from 1999 speeding convictions rose 600% in many parts of Scotland. This has not resulted in less accidents and fatalities, indeed fatalities have sadly risen 9% over the same period. Has the focus on speed limit enforcement has detracted from other enforcement.

In 2005, only 5% of accidents were caused by exceeding the speed limit. (Source Department of Transport)

The greatest cause of accidents (one third) was failure to look properly. (Source Department of Transport)

Two thirds of all fatal accidents involving school-aged children are the result of road accidents.

The severity of child pedestrian and cycle injuries is closely linked to speed of the vehicles. (Source DETR