Rural campaigns driving reduction in accidents, says expert

Date: 25/6/2010

A focus on the countryside has helped drive a reduction in UK road casualties, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Policy and Research Director Neil Greig was commenting on government road safety statistics and highlighted rural campaigns as being among the main reasons for a decline in deaths and serious injuries.

In addition to Department for Transport initiatives, he praised police forces for making drivers aware they tend to be most at risk in the countryside.

Mr Greig also suggested the improved protection offered by modern vehicles has played a role, because "we are all driving safer cars as the old, pre-airbag, non-crash-tested bangers go off the road".

He reminded the government of the need to continue investing in road safety measures, urging ministers not to make budget cuts in this area in the future.

Charity Brake also welcomed the data this week, although it called for new targets to be set as more can be done to cut down on accidents.

Posted by Sarah Bailey