Plea to drivers as cathedral service honours road victims

The memorial service, at Ripon Cathedral, will remember the 46 people who have lost their lives and 486 who have been seriously injured this year on roads across North Yorkshire.

Last week it was revealed that Yorkshire tops a list of the most dangerous places for road users in Britain, while North Yorkshire has the most lethal route in the region – the A684 running through the Yorkshire Dales.

Ahead of the service, the Dean of Ripon, Keith Jukes, joined other safety campaigners in

urging motorists to slow

down before any more lives are lost.

"The fact that so many people lose their lives each year is a poignant reminder of the responsibility that each of us has for road safety," he said.

"This service is not just an act of remembrance for those who have lost their lives in North Yorkshire during the past year, but also acts as a reminder of the need to exercise care and consideration while driving.

"None of us who travel on the roads can afford to be complacent about the risks involved."

Stephen Fisher, chaplain to North Yorkshire Police, echoed the calls for safer roads.

He said: "The number of fatalities we have had is slightly down but 46 is still a very high number.

"Every death to the people that loved them is utterly devastating and we are recognising that these aren't just numbers but people too.

"A lot of these roads involved are basically country lanes where people are driving far too fast - this is a poignant time to remind motorists of the dangers."

The annual Oakleaf service is taking part at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday, November 21, and starts at 3pm.

Taking part in this year's service will be representatives from North Yorkshire emergency services and the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "We are constantly reviewing road safety measures to ensure everything possible is done to make our highways safe."