ROAD SAFETY BOOST 
FOR WAKEFIELD

Wakefield is celebrating a huge improvement in road safety after figures just released revealed that the number of deaths and serious injuries on the District's roads has fallen by a third in the last ten years.

In the mid-nineties the number of deaths and serious injuries averaged 244 but last year that figure was down to 164, according to the annual report of the Leeds Road Safety Studies Unit.

Road Casualties 2005 also identified that the number of children in the category killed and seriously injured on Wakefield District roads in 2005 was 21, although none died. In the mid-nineties this figure averaged 51.

Phil Dobson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, welcomed the figures: "While serious injuries caused to just one child is one child too many, we are very pleased with this substantial drop in the category of young people killed or seriously injured on our roads. It is good news for Wakefield and much of the credit should go to our Travel Awareness team's child training programme, which is equipping children with the skills they need," he said.

The report also showed that the total number of injury accidents fell to 1,439 in 2005, the lowest figure since 1984.

Andy Kerr, Service Director Transportation and Highways, said that that was a real achievement, considering the increased traffic on the roads.

"Last year we reviewed our traffic calming programme and assessed its effectiveness. Overall, these schemes are slowing down traffic and saving lives. 

"However, speed and drivers being distracted are still factors in many accidents. We can all do our bit to improve safety on Wakefield's roads by driving within speed limits, wearing seatbelts, not using mobile phones when driving and, whether we are motorists or pedestrians, concentrating on what we are doing."

Ref: PR850
Date: 23/05/06

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