Appeal for action as deaths on Yorkshire 
roads soar

New figures reveal the toll of people killed on roads across the county has increased by almost 15 per cent in the space of just one year.

Statistics show 165 people were killed in road accidents in Yorkshire last year, compared to 144 in 2012.

However, the number of people who have been injured on the county’s roads has actually decreased.

The Department for Transport said that deaths on roads across the country fell to their lowest-ever annual total last year.

Traffic experts claim the statistics were the lowest since records began in 1926.

But Huddersfield-based road safety campaigners have spoken of their disappointment that Yorkshire had bucked the national trend with a rising death toll.

Brake spokesman Dave Nichols told The Yorkshire Post: “While there has been a decrease in the number of overall road casualties across Yorkshire, it is disappointing to see that the number of people dying on Yorkshire roads has risen.

“There is still lots more we can all do to make sure even fewer families go through the needless suffering of losing a loved one as a result of a crash.”

He added: “As drivers, riders, cyclists and pedestrians, we all have an important role to play in looking out for each other and slowing down.

“It is also vital that the police and councils prioritise road safety, if we are to see a reduction in next year’s figures.”

The number of people killed on roads in North Yorkshire has increased by over 63 per cent to 51 victims last year, up from 35 in 2012.

The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this year that the death toll among motorcyclists had trebled, triggering a new safety campaign on North Yorkshire’s roads.

The county saw 15 motorcyclist deaths last year, up from five in 2012.

Latest figures from the Government show the number of people killed on roads in West Yorkshire has increased from 49 in 2012 to 55 last year.

South Yorkshire Police recorded 32 deaths on the county’s roads last year compared to 29 deaths in 2012.

Humberside Police was the only force in the region to record a fall in the number of road deaths from 31 victims in 2012, to 27 last year.

A spokeswoman from the force added: “Police work all year round to help reduce the number of casualties on roads around the force area.

“Each month we launch a campaign to help raise awareness of such things as the dangers of driving when using a mobile phone, speed awareness and drink driving.

“By being aware of these factors and sticking to the laws of the road people have helped to reduce the number of collisions on the roads.”