THE number of people dying on Cheshire's roads has fallen.

Latest figures released by Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership show the number of fatal collisions has dropped by 31 per cent, with 42 people being killed in 2009 compared to 61 in 2008.

People seriously injured in road accidents has also fallen by 16 per cent to 557 in 2009, a reduction of 106 people injured on the previous year.

Of those people, the number of young road users, those aged between 17 and 25, killed or seriously injured has also fallen by 31 per cent from 206 in 2008 to 143 in 2009.

And 13 per cent fewer motorcyclists or their passengers were injured in 2009, with figures falling from 160 in 2008 to 139 last year.

Poor driving or riding, bad judgment and drink were found to be the main causes of incidents. The reductions follow investment in safety education, road improvements and enforcement initiatives across Cheshire, according to the partnership.

Lee Murphy, partnership manager, said the figures were encouraging and reflected the hard work of the staff, but the effort was continuing.

He said: "We will work even harder to ensure that we continue to exceed the Government's target figures and make Cheshire's roads safer.

"We cannot afford to become complacent and road users must remember the importance of safe and responsible driving, and think about the consequences of their actions.

"The fact the majority of fatalities are caused by poor driving and more than 21 per cent are through alcohol impairment highlights that some motorists are still acting incredibly irresponsibly.

"However, these are welcoming figures and it is encouraging to see a significant reduction in casualties.

"I would like to thank the partners, staff and the Cheshire public in working exceptionally hard together to save lives."

The government has a target to reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads by 40 per cent this year, compared with the average figures for between 1994-1998.

Cheshire has already exceeded this target, recording a reduction of 48 per cent by the end of 2009.

Judy Fox, from Crewe, pictured, who has been fighting for increased safety measures on the A530, between Middlewich and Nantwich, has welcomed the news.

She said: "What they are doing is working, because the number of people injured and killed has reduced, but I still think drivers need to take more care.

"Only this morning two motorbikes went past me at the speed of light."