While a local MP is demanding action to tackle the number of people killed and seriously injured in road crashes in Powys, the county’s road safety team points to a ‘dramatic decrease’ in fatalities in the past three years.
Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said there were more fatal and serious accidents in Powys in 2008 than anywhere else in Wales. He said the number of fatal and serious accidents in Powys was 104 in 2008, a reduction of two on 2007 and a fall of 27 on the 1994-98 average.
He said: "The government needs to ensure that transport policy takes into account the changing way in which our roads are used and work to make the roads, not just the drivers safer.
"Powys has some very difficult and complicated roads which even experienced drivers can find treacherous in poor conditions. These roads are even more dangerous for people on motorbikes."
In response, Powys County Council’s road safety team says that the number of motorcycle deaths has fallen from 13 in 2006 to four in 2008 and three to date in 2009. It also says that the number of young people killed on the county’s roads fell by 83% in 2008 compared to 2007.
Councillor Gwilym Evans said: “We have assessed 84 Powys’ residents through our motorcycle assessment scheme and trained 223 young drivers through the Pass Plus Cymru course in 2009 alone.
“There has been significant work by the council’s road safety unit to cut the number of fatalities. While we are confident this is paying off, we are not complacent and continue to develop and implement schemes in order to further reduce the number of casualties.”
Click here to read the full BBC News report or contact John Evans for further information.
Clearly a case of stastistics, dependent on which ones us use, can prove anything.
Powys has some great riding roads .The A44 is one though dangerous in places. Is it the case of accidents whilst inapropriate overtaking or riding round corners to fast by motorcyclists.
It usually is.
Perhaps the reduction in accidents in last few years could be put down to wetter weather and therefore a drop in motorcycle activity. Nothing like a wash out sunday to put even the most ardent motorcyclists off.
Are the accidents caused by local riders or visitors?
bob craven [ otherwise known as Judge Dredd} Blackpool
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Clearly this MP has no idea on the hard work being done by the Road Safety team in Powys and is using figures for….oooh is it election time?
Gareth, Wales
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