London Mayor welcomes road safety improvement

Date: 13/5/2011

A significant improvement has been noted in terms of road safety in the UK capital.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson says that over the course of the past decade deaths and serious injuries recorded on the city's roads have fallen by 57 per cent.

This is below both the government's targets and those of City Hall, according to Transport for London.

In addition, during 2010 the number of fatalities on the roads fell to below 150 - 126 - for the first time since records began.

Mr Johnson said the Metropolitan Police, London boroughs and Transport for London should all receive praise, as other countries are now looking to the capital for inspiration.

However, he added that more can still be done, particularly in terms of keeping cyclists safe.

"A great deal has been achieved in the capital but if we are to continue to reduce casualty levels we must not lose our focus in this important work and I welcome the [United Nations'] Decade of Action," the Mayor concluded.

The campaign was launched earlier in the week, with international agencies and private organisations encouraged to hold an event to help raise awareness of it.

Posted by Sarah Bailey