Scots more likely to die in accidents than rest of the UK, report warns

Scotland is facing a “crisis” after a report found it has the highest rate of accidental deaths in the UK.

People are far more likely to die in an accident in Scotland than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, according to a study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The charity, which counts King Charles among its patrons, revealed that the rate of accidental deaths in Scotland is 56% higher than the UK overall.

RoSPA’s new report also revealed the situation has worsened – rising by 57% in the last decade. In 2022, more than 2,500 people in Scotland lost their lives in an accident.

The charity revealed that accidental falls and poisonings were the most common cause of accidental deaths across in Scotland in 2022.

It revealed death from accidental poisoning is 139% higher in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.

The study added there has been a sharp spike in drug-related deaths in Scotland since the early 2010s, which has one of the highest rates of drug deaths in the developed world, although this has begun to fall in recent years.

Death from accidental falls accounted for 42% of all accidental deaths in Scotland, making people almost twice as likely to die from falls than anywhere else in the UK.

The study suggested that Scotland’s “rugged terrain and wetter conditions, and potentially higher proportions of people living in flats or apartments” could be the reason for the high number.

Death from accidental drowning was also found to be highest in Scotland across the UK, with the study finding Scots were 59% more likely to drown, partly due to the easy access to inland water.

Drowning deaths were also found to be more likely due to the lower water temperatures, increasing the risk of cold-water shock.

The study revealed death from exposure to smoke, fire or flames is 42% higher than the rest of the UK due to the higher rate of house fires.

Scotland was also found to have the highest rate of fatal road accidents with drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists almost twice as likely to be killed in a transport-related accident than anywhere else in the UK.

People in cars are 166% more likely to be killed in an accident driving on Scottish roads than elsewhere, while pedestrians are 96% more likely to be killed and motorcyclists are 51%.

The charity added that preventable accidents cost the UK a £12bn every year due to lost working days and medical care.

The study added that accidents put a “huge strain” on the NHS and can cost £6bn annually in medical care.

Following the study, RoSPA urged the Government to create a “National Accident Prevention Strategy” to save lives, boost the economy and free up capacity in the NHS.

Steve Cole, policy, campaigns and public affairs director at RoSPA, said Scotland is facing an “accident crisis”.

“Scots are substantially more likely to suffer a serious accident today than they were 20 years ago,” he said.

“We must take action now to stop further preventable deaths and serious injuries – accidents are avoidable and do not need to happen.”

Mr Cole continued: “Even those who have never been involved in an accident are still suffering, as increasing numbers of accidents are choking the UK economy and engulfing the NHS – taking up bed space, money, time and resources that could be directed to other serious illnesses.”

Dr James Broun, research manager at RoSPA and author of Safer Lives, Stronger Nation, said: “Our major review of all accident data uncovers the full scale and true cost of accidents for the very first time.

“This data is unique; it looks at all types of accidents across the UK, as well as individually across all four nations,” he said.

“Accidents aren’t currently monitored or recorded to the same extent as other health issues, but the findings are alarming.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We continue to work with partners to help reduce and prevent unintentional harm and injury, with a particular focus on groups most at risk – babies and children under five, people over 65, and those living in the most deprived communities.

“NHS Inform provides information on how to prevent falls by identifying hazards at home and we are supporting the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to deliver the Scottish Government’s Water Safety Action Plan to prevent deaths from drowning with funding of £98,000 per year.”