Northamptonshire road fatalities at record low

Date: 4/1/2011

Northamptonshire saw the lowest number of fatalities on its roads since records began during 2010, according to road safety experts.

It was found that 25 people lost their lives while on the road last year, compared with 34 in 2009, 35 in 2008, 57 in 2007 and 74 in 2006.

Records of the figures began more than half a century ago in 1960, with experts welcoming the latest data.

However, Brian Ronaghan, Casualty Reduction Partnership Manager at Northamptonshire Police, recently said that the fact 25 individuals had lost their lives while travelling in a vehicle was something that needed to be addressed.

"We must not forget that, although road safety has improved, there are still 25 families in the county who have just spent their first Christmas without the loved one they lost in 2010," he said last week.

Meanwhile, Sue Jackson, of road accident victims' charity RoadPeace, told the Northampton Chronicle that while fatalities are going down, injuries are on the increase.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists recently advised making road safety a new year's resolution by encouraging drivers to work on their motoring skills.

Posted by Sarah Bailey