DfT stats show drop in road deaths

Provisional DfT statistics for the period April-June 2010 reveal a 16% fall in the number of road fatalities (BBC News).

The DfT stats show that in the period April-June 2010, deaths on UK roads totalled 470, a 16% fall compared with the same period in 2009. The KSI total for the same period was down 6%.

Slight injuries fell 3% to 46,480 giving an overall casualty figure, including all deaths and all injuries, of 53,100 – 3% down on the corresponding period in 2009.

James Gibson, Road Safety GB press & PR officer, said: "These provisional casualty statistics are very encouraging and are testament to the excellent work being carried out by those involved in the road safety profession. If this trend were to continue road deaths could indeed fall below 2000 for the year.

"In these tough economic times it remains vital that local authority road safety teams are adequately funded to enable this trend to continue."

Mike Penning, road safety minister, said he was encouraged by the figures: "We are not complacent and road safety remains a key priority. We are currently reviewing all road safety policies as well as looking at the most effective way to measure progress.

"We are also engaging with local authorities and other stakeholders on the future road safety agenda and will make further announcements in the coming months."

AA president Edmund King said: "This reduction is a tremendous achievement. There were 3,409 deaths in 2000, with little change over the next five years.

"It is also a tribute to all that have striven towards meeting the targets set for 2010 by the government back in 2000. Britain now desperately needs a new target to galvanise road safety actions for the next decade and beyond."

Click here to read the full BBC News report.

Click here to see the DfT report: ‘Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain Quarterly Provisional Estimates Q2 2010’.