From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
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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