THE number of people killed and injured on Scotland's roads dropped by 10% last year to the lowest level since records began.

There were 11,498 overall casualties on the country's roads in 2013, the lowest level since 1950, according to latest figures from Transport Scotland.

The death toll fell to 172, 3% down on the previous year, while serious injuries decreased by 16% to 672.

Figures also showed a drop in the number of people slightly injured, which fell by 9% over the year to 9654.

The report said: "In all cases of severity, the figures were the lowest since records began. The reductions in the numbers of accidents and casualties in recent years are notable particularly given the rise in vehicle and subsequent traffic."