Staffordshire roads death toll falls by six
THE number of motorists killed on Staffordshire's roads has fallen.
Nineteen people died as a result of accidents in the first nine months of last year – six fewer than the same period in 2011.
But six more motorists suffered serious injuries in 2012, the county council said.
The total of 126 people killed or seriously injured reveals a steady downward trend over the last five years, falling from 183 in 2008.
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But councillors are pledging to reduce further the number of casualties.
The figures, which relate to the first nine months of each year, cover major roads such as the M6, but not those in Stoke-on-Trent.
Accidents during 2012 on the M6 include:
February – A driver was taken to hospital with injuries after their camper van overturned on the M6 near to Keele services;
March – A woman was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious head and facial injuries in a two-car crash on the M6 between junctions 15 and 16;
July 2012 – A female motorist was taken to hospital with head and arm injuries after a multi-vehicle crash on the M6.
County council cabinet member for highways Mike Maryon said: "The latest figures are very encouraging and prove that the many measures we have introduced to improve road safety are effective.
"We are determined to make Staffordshire's roads even safer."
The figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show that overall there has been a steady fall in fatalities and serious injuries with 166 in 2009, 147 in 2010 and 126 in both 2011 and 2012.
Chief Inspector Steve Smytheman, head of roads policing for Staffordshire Police, said: "The safety of our roads is a key priority.
"Every person killed or seriously injured is a tragedy.
The latest figures for the number of deaths and serious injuries on county roads are the lowest ever recorded. We proactively target motorists who drive irresponsibly by not wearing a seatbelt or using their mobile phones."
Staffordshire has the fifth safest roads in England and Wales.
Ian Sloss, group manager from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "These figures demonstrate the value of partnership working and our commitment to work together for the benefit of our communities.
"Making the roads of Staffordshire even safer is one of our key priorities and we will continue to work together towards this aim."
Comments
by Backdoored
Sunday, January 13 2013, 10:17PM
“'Inapropriate' -IS WHEN GOING OVER THE SPEED RESTRICTIONS... period.”
by mowcopman
Sunday, January 13 2013, 8:05PM
“Nonsense, inappropriate use of speed kills.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, January 12 2013, 10:22PM
“Correct. They are a deterrent. People can't afford either the fines -or the risk of losing their licence, which for most would mean losing their livelihood too.
I believe the cost to the national economy -the average cost of losing an educated 'trained' employee to road kill, is phenomenal -figures taking into consideration the person's contribution over a lifetiem -in terms of skills lost - and tax paid. Well over a million pounds.
Not forgetting the grief suffered by family and friends. that total for Staffordshire in cold hard facts -of the 126 who died on our roads -came to £126 million. Five years ago with 183 deaths -that was £183 million. A saving of £57 million -which speed cameras played a big part in reducing.
Speed cameras pay for themselves over and over again -to say nothing of the revenue they stack up with fines. Wonderful humanitarian piece of technology. Try and look at it that way.”
by hteethhte
Saturday, January 12 2013, 3:10PM
“Safety Cameras punish speeding drivers.
SPEED KILLS.
More Safety Cameras will save more lives.”