Fall in road deaths 'testament to improved vehicle safety'

Date: 5/11/2010

New government statistics revealing a reduction in the number of people killed on Britain's roads have been welcomed by one safety organisation.

A report by the Department for Transport (DfT) showed the amount of car occupants who died or were seriously injured in accidents fell by nine per cent in the year ending June 2010, compared to the previous 12 months.

The figures also indicated the total number of fatal and serious collisions dropped by seven per cent.

Director of RoadSafe Adrian Walsh said: "These figures are welcome and a good prediction for the future of road safety in the UK. They show how improved vehicle safety is making a real difference."

However, he emphasised the importance of motorists continuing to perfect their driving standards, as well as the government maintaining the improvements it is making to Britain's roads.

DfT research released in September demonstrated road fatalities fell by 12 per cent between 2008 and 2009, which Executive Director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety Robert Gifford attributed to consistent government action.

Posted by Sarah Bailey