Road-death toll hits new low

The number of road deaths reached an all-time low last year.

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The number of road deaths reached an all-time low last year.

New Government figures show a total of 3221 people died in road accidents in 2004, which was 287 fewer than the year before. This figure is the lowest since records began in 1926, and is a step closer to the Government’s target of a 40% reduction in road accidents by 2010.

Despite a 2% increase in the number of cars on UK roads over the same period, pedestrian deaths were 13% lower than in 2003.

• The number of children killed or seriously injured fell by 5%
• The number of motorcyclists killed fell by 16%
• The number of cyclists killed rose by 18%

Road safety minister Stephen Ladyman welcomed the results but said: ‘One year’s figures should not make anyone complacent. Nearly nine people a day died in road accidents last year and that figure is too high.’

Executive director of the RAC Foundation, Edmund King, highlighted areas where additional lives could be saved. ‘We need to reverse the 11% decrease in traffic police since 1996, and introduce national speed-awareness courses as a means of changing driver behaviour.’