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26/06/2008
Roads Deaths Fall By 7%, Figures Reveal
The number of fatalities on Britain's roads has fallen by 7% last year, according to figures released today.
The Department of Transport has published national statistics on road casualties in the UK in 2007.
According to the findings, the number of people killed in road accidents fell by 7% from 3,172 in 2006 to 2,943 in 2007.
It was also revealed that 30,720 people were killed or seriously injured in 2007, 4% lower than in 2006. There were 247,780 road casualties in the UK in 2007, 4% less than in 2006.
Child casualties fell by 7% and the number of children killed or seriously injured in 2007 was 3,090 - down 6% on 2006.
Of those, 1,800 were pedestrians, 6% down on 2006. 121 children died on the roads, 28% fewer than in 2006.
In 2000, the Government announced a new road safety strategy and set new targets for reducing casualties by 2010.
The Government wants to see a 40% reduction in the people killed or seriously injured in road accidents compared with the average for 1994-98 and a 50% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said that "the figures are extremely encouraging" and show that "for the first time since records begin 1926 the number of people killed on our roads has fallen below 3,000".
However, he said that "far too many people are still dying" and that the government will continue to "do everything" it can to "improve road safety and reduce the numbers of people killed or injured".
It is understood that a significant proportion of non-fatal injury accidents are not reported to the police - according to research conducted on behalf of the Department in the 1990s.
The Department is continuing to undertake further research to investigate whether the levels of reporting have changed.
(DS)
The Department of Transport has published national statistics on road casualties in the UK in 2007.
According to the findings, the number of people killed in road accidents fell by 7% from 3,172 in 2006 to 2,943 in 2007.
It was also revealed that 30,720 people were killed or seriously injured in 2007, 4% lower than in 2006. There were 247,780 road casualties in the UK in 2007, 4% less than in 2006.
Child casualties fell by 7% and the number of children killed or seriously injured in 2007 was 3,090 - down 6% on 2006.
Of those, 1,800 were pedestrians, 6% down on 2006. 121 children died on the roads, 28% fewer than in 2006.
In 2000, the Government announced a new road safety strategy and set new targets for reducing casualties by 2010.
The Government wants to see a 40% reduction in the people killed or seriously injured in road accidents compared with the average for 1994-98 and a 50% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said that "the figures are extremely encouraging" and show that "for the first time since records begin 1926 the number of people killed on our roads has fallen below 3,000".
However, he said that "far too many people are still dying" and that the government will continue to "do everything" it can to "improve road safety and reduce the numbers of people killed or injured".
It is understood that a significant proportion of non-fatal injury accidents are not reported to the police - according to research conducted on behalf of the Department in the 1990s.
The Department is continuing to undertake further research to investigate whether the levels of reporting have changed.
(DS)
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The number of children killed or seriously injured on British roads has fallen by a third in just three years, according to a government report published today. The report also found that the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads has fallen by 17%.
Fall in number of children killed on Britain's roads
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09 March 2005
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Britain's roads are getting safer, the AA Motoring Trust has announced, however motorcyclists are still at risk of serious injury and death. The report, EuroRAP 2005: British Results, analyses data from 850 main roads.
Motorcyclists still at high risk of accidents, AA reports
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27 March 2008
Hotel Balcony Plunge Boy 'Unlawfully Killed'
A six-year-old boy who died in a fall from a hotel balcony in Crete was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled. Liam Hogan, from Bristol, died from severe head injuries after falling from the balcony of the room at the Petra Mare Hotel in Ierapetra in August 2006, along with his father, John, and two-year-old sister Mia.
Hotel Balcony Plunge Boy 'Unlawfully Killed'
A six-year-old boy who died in a fall from a hotel balcony in Crete was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled. Liam Hogan, from Bristol, died from severe head injuries after falling from the balcony of the room at the Petra Mare Hotel in Ierapetra in August 2006, along with his father, John, and two-year-old sister Mia.
24 June 2004
Death toll on British roads rises by 2% in 2003
The number of deaths on Britain's roads rose by 2% between 2002 and 2003, according to the latest figures released from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today. Statistics found that road deaths were up from 3,431 in 2002 to 3,508 in 2003. However, the total number of people killed or seriously injured fell by 6% to 37,215 people.
Death toll on British roads rises by 2% in 2003
The number of deaths on Britain's roads rose by 2% between 2002 and 2003, according to the latest figures released from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today. Statistics found that road deaths were up from 3,431 in 2002 to 3,508 in 2003. However, the total number of people killed or seriously injured fell by 6% to 37,215 people.
15 June 2004
Speed cameras save '100 lives a year'
The number of people killed or seriously injured at sites where safety cameras are in use has fallen by 40% - which means 100 fewer people are dying on the roads each year, the government has said.
Speed cameras save '100 lives a year'
The number of people killed or seriously injured at sites where safety cameras are in use has fallen by 40% - which means 100 fewer people are dying on the roads each year, the government has said.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
