3 February 2011
The AA has welcomed government statistics published today showing further falls in road deaths and injuries.
The 1900 deaths recorded in the year ending 30th September 2010 is a number that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago – in 2000 the total was 3409. The recession and severe winters have cut mileage and with it accidents.
Fuel prices have changed driving habits and led to a growth in cycling, bringing increased cycle casualties.
These trends need to be countered and the country's road safety effort has to prepare for better times when more people will drive.
"We are concerned that cuts to police and local authority road safety budgets may undermine some of the progress in reducing casualties," says AA President Edmund King.
"Government, police and local authorities must not take their eyes off the ball."
we are concerned that cuts to police and local authority road safety budgets may undermine some of the progress in reducing casualties
Edmund King, AA President
The latest figures* from the Department for Transport includes National Statistics on road casualties in personal injury road accidents reported to the police in Great Britain for the third quarter of 2010.
Provisional estimates show the number of fatalities in road accidents were down by 21% for the twelve months ending September 2010 compared to the previous twelve months.
Total casualties were down 3% and killed and seriously injured casualties down by 8%, compared with the previous 12 months.
*Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: Provisional Estimates: Quarter 3, 2010
