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Road traffic casualties with clinically serious injuries increase in Northern Ireland

Date published: 26 June 2025

Topics: Transport, environment and climate change

New research published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Infrastructure present the Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale 3+ (MAIS3+) road casualties in Northern Ireland for 1999 to 2023, providing a clinical definition of serious injuries resulting from road traffic collisions.

Key findings:

  • In 2023, there were 66 MAIS3+ casualties on Northern Ireland's roads - a 12% increase compared to 2022, but still 72% lower than the peak of 235 recorded in 2002
  • While overall trends show a historical decrease in serious injuries followed by signs of levelling off, recent years have shown concerning increases
  • Males accounted for 69% of all MAIS3+ casualties between 2019-2023, higher than their representation in overall hospital admissions (67%) and PSNI serious injuries (62%)
  • Adults aged 70+ made up over a quarter (26%) of all MAIS3+ casualties from 2019-2023, which differs markedly from their representation in overall hospital admissions (14%) and PSNI reported serious injuries (11%)
  • Car users represented the largest group of MAIS3+ casualties (43%) in the period 2019-2023, though vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists) collectively accounted for 44% of clinically serious injuries

About the publication

This is the ninth report in the MAIS3+ series and provides detailed analysis of clinically defined serious injuries following road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland. The MAIS3+ measure differs from Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) data by using a standardised clinical definition rather than police assessment, providing a more accurate international comparison of serious injury statistics. The report includes:

  • Comparisons between MAIS3+ data and PSNI-reported serious injuries
  • Analysis by road user type, age and gender
  • Historical trends from 1999 to 2023
  • Detailed methodology information

Further information

Read the full report: MAIS3 Plus road casualties in Northern Ireland 1999 to 2023

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Last updated: 26 June 2025

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