ROAD DEATHS: A RECORD LOW

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ROAD DEATHS: A RECORD LOW

..so why have some camera-crazy areas seen MORE people killed?

THE number of people killed on Britain’s roads fell last year to the lowest level since records began in 1926, figures revealed yesterday.

There were 3,221 deaths – eight per cent fewer than in 2003 – despite the number of cars on roads having risen by two per cent.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman said: “The figures are very encouraging. However, one year’s figures should not make anyone feel complacent. Nearly nine people a day still died in road accidents last year and that figure is still too high.”

And while welcoming the drop, some experts said the spread of speed cameras may hinder more progress on safety while numbers of traffic police are falling.

Deaths rose in 18 police force areas, including North Wales – up from 49 to 58 – where camera numbers have soared.

Edmund King, RAC Foundation executive director, said: “We must reverse the 11 per cent decrease in traffic police since 1996 and introduce speed awareness courses.

“The focus on speed cameras and decline in traffic police means offences such as drug driving and careless driving could be going unchecked. This could be having a serious impact on road casualty numbers.”

The RAC wants a review of “cash-for- camera” partnerships where money raised in fines is spent on more traps.

Car drivers and passengers accounted for the highest number of fatalities with 1,671 – a six per cent drop – according to the Department for Transport figures. Child deaths dropped by three per cent to 166.

Pedestrian fatalities fell 13 per cent to 671 and motorcycle and moped deaths were down 16 per cent to 467. But the number of cyclists killed rose 18 per cent to 134. Mary Williams, of the road safety group Brake, warned: “The Government is encouraging us to get out of cars and on to bikes and the upshot is that cyclists are dying.

“A cyclist is 20 times more likely to be killed than a car occupant on an urban road and 34 times more likely on a rural road.”

But Mr Ladyman added: “Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and the Government is committed to improving it further.”

Kevin Clinton, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “The Road Safety Bill before Parliament is an opportunity to bring more improvements.

“We hope the Government will widen its scope so the drink-drive limit is reduced, random breath testing is introduced and proposals to reduce the penalty points for speeding are rejected.”

CASUALTIES ON BRITAIN’S ROADS

Type of victim No Change

All

Killed 3,221 -8%

Serious injury 31,130 -8%

Slight injury 246,489 -3

Children

Killed 166 -3%

Serious injury 3,739 -5%

Slight injury 27,095 -3%

Pedestrians Killed 671 -13%

Serious injury 6,807 -5%

Slight injury 27,403 -4%

Cyclists

Killed 134 +18%

Serious injury 2,174 -5%

Slight injury 14,340 -2%

Motorbike / moped

Killed 467 -16%

Serious injury 6,063 -13%

Slight injury 18,993 -9%

Car

Killed 1,671 -6%

Serious injury 14,473 -7%

Slight injury 167,714 -2% Bus & Coach Killed 20 +82%

Serious injury 468 -4%

Slight injury 8,332 -3% Lorries

Killed 109 -6%

Serious injury 928 -14%

Slight injury 8,012 -9%

LOVE IS GIVING SOMEONE THE ABILITY TO DESTROY YOU, THEN TRUSTING THEM NOT TO.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, VODKA in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming…….WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!

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