Decrease in deaths and injuries on roads

Jan 30 2009 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Friday

DEATHS and serious injuries on the region’s roads fell by a massive 32.5 per cent last year.

During 2007, 169 people were killed or badly hurt in road accidents. That fell to 114 last year. It also represents a reduction of 47 per cent on the 1994-1998 average.

The number of children killed or seriously injured fell from 13 to eight, a drop of 35.5 per cent on the previous year and a reduction of 65 per cent on the 1994-1998 average.

The number of people slightly injured also fell from 471 in 2007 to 435 in 2008, 7.6 per cent down on the previous year, however up by 7 per cent against the 1994-1998 average.

Sergeant Scott McLachlan from the Road Safety Unit said: “We are obviously pleased with the reduction in casualties, not only are they down on our 2007 figures but they are the lowest figures since the government targets were introduced in 2000.

“That said, last year 10 people lost their lives and 104 were seriously injured on our roads.

“So while we have met the 2010 reduction targets for killed and seriously injured categories, we have seen a rise in slight injuries so we need to continue our efforts and guard against complacency.”

According to research carried out by the local police force, people are more likely to be involved in a crash between 8am and 10am and between 3pm and 6pm.

Sergeant Scott McLachlan added: “We will continue to focus on the main causes of crashes shown above but would like to point out that patience and courtesy by drivers using our roads will go a long way to reducing these figures and appeal to all road users play their part in making our roads safe for all.”