North Yorkshire road deaths rate at lowest in 25 years

The number of deaths on the roads of North Yorkshire fell to its lowest level in a quarter of century last year, new figures have revealed.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jan 2016, 18:25 BST
Updated 15th Jan 2016, 18:29 BST
Tim Madgwick of North Yorkshire PoliceTim Madgwick of North Yorkshire Police
Tim Madgwick of North Yorkshire Police

Officials say the confirmed total of 33 deaths in 2015 is the smallest since modern records began and is “a credit to everyone who is involved in road safety work”.

The number of road fatalities has fallen in North Yorkshire in the last two years, from 40 in 2014 and 51 in 2013. Speed is said to be a major factor in many of the crashes.

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The county’s road network, which covers 5,000 miles and criss-crosses the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, is a huge draw for bikers from across the country and for many rural communities speeding drivers is one of the biggest safety concerns.

Tim Madgwick, Deputy Chief Constable for North Yorkshire Police said: “To see a reduction in the number of lives lost on our roads is great news and the fact that they are the lowest level for 25 years is a credit to everyone who is involved in road safety work.

“Whilst we welcome these figures, one fatality on our roads is one too many and we will continue to work alongside our partners at the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership and other agencies, to do everything we can to get these numbers to fall further.”

Honor Byford, North Yorkshire County Council’s road safety team leader, said: “We are pleased to see that fewer people have lost their lives on our roads in the past year.

“For those families who have lost a loved one, they are coming to terms with how they will manage without them forever and for this to have happened to fewer families and friends is good progress.”