Number of deaths on county’s roads reach a record low, new figures reveal

Statistics from the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership show that the number of road deaths has halved in the last 10 years.

Chief superintendent Keith Lumley, chairman of the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “Ten years ago, in 2002, 63 people died on South Yorkshire roads compared to 30 in 2011.

“This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams within the Safer Roads Partnership to make every road user safer.

“Every death is, however, a tragedy and we will strive to reduce further the numbers of people killed on our roads through what we know are successful reduction methods.”

He added: “We will continue to run initiatives that have an impact in reducing risk and casualties. These include a range of targeted educational-based activities and road-based engineering improvements.

“Police enforcement will also target those drivers who speed, drink and drive, drive while under the influence of drugs, illegally use mobile phones, don’t wear seatbelts or drive in a dangerous manner.

“Prosecution is often a last resort but if it is proportionate and modifies driving behaviour leading to a life being saved then it is worth it.

Ken Wheat, manager of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, said that the figures also reveal that the number of people killed and seriously injured is down by almost nine per cent, based on a three-year average.

He said: “It is a gratifying that we have reached this record low and I would like to thank the public who have played a key role in helping us to reach this point.

“Estimates show that each death on the roads costs the economy an estimated £1.8m. More importantly, behind each death there is a grieving family that has lost a loved one who cannot be replaced.

“For this reason, the partnership will seek to continuously improve in this vital area.”