West Midlands sees rise in pedestrian fatalities amid road safety concerns
Road Safety Commissioner highlights need for improved safety measures
Residents in the West Midlands are being reminded of the growing concern around road deaths affecting local families, particularly due to increased pedestrian fatalities.
West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald presented alarming data at the Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting regarding the region's statistics on those killed or seriously injured (KSI).
While the overall KSI numbers have decreased in recent years, Mat MacDonald expressed that the figures remain 'unacceptably high,' especially with 21 pedestrian fatalities recorded in 2025 - a substantial portion of the total 50 deaths that year.
"They do represent a completely unacceptable proportion of pedestrian fatalities amongst the mix of those killed or seriously injured on our road network," MacDonald stated.
He emphasized that each statistic reflects a tragic event deeply impacting families, friends, and communities.
Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 25 percent of KSIs, but recent figures in the West Midlands have surged significantly beyond this average.
Efforts are underway to assess the causes of deaths, focusing on incident locations and reviewing pedestrian crossing facilities.
The data revealed 'clusters' of fatalities at specific spots, with Birmingham accounting for three-quarters of the identified locations, while none were reported in Dudley.
The number of KSIs dropped to 1,078 in 2025 from 1,157 the previous year, yet Mr MacDonald underlined the urgency of continued efforts to address the issue.
He highlighted initiatives aimed at improving road safety across the region.
"Since 2022, our fatalities have reduced. 2022 was a particular nadir in these figures," MacDonald said, stressing the importance of sustained actions to ensure safety for travellers.
Average speed enforcement (ASE), known to reduce personal injury collisions by 39 percent, is proving effective on major roads.
However, smaller roads may require alternative approaches to prevent collisions.
Improvements are needed in driver education and road infrastructure, as emphasized by the fatal collision review panels established in 2024.
These panels assess collisions of extreme severity to identify underlying infrastructure-related causes.
In partnership with Agilysis, the region is developing a speed management protocol aligned with the Regional Road Safety Action Plan.
MacDonald spoke about the "Healthy streets" initiative, aiming to transform road layouts and deter speeding, while promoting walking and reducing vehicle journeys.
Additionally, regional guidance and standards are being developed for junctions and crossings, which often pose risks on roads.