Rise in fatal crashes on Welsh roads
Friday 25th June 2010, 9:30AM BST.
Casualties on Welsh roads are at the lowest since records began, new figures showed today.
But in Mid Wales the number of motorists killed on roads in the region has risen by almost 25 per cent in 12 months.
The Welsh Assembly Government said 125 people were killed and a further 10,354 injured on the country’s roads, the lowest since 1968.
In Powys, 16 people died on the roads last year, up from 13 the previous year, a rise of almost 25 per cent.
Sarah Ceri Morris, Powys County Council’s senior road safety officer, said the victims were seven motorists aged between 31 and 78; four motorcyclists aged between 38 and 74; one pedestrian aged 80 and four car passengers, of whom three were under 25.
She said: “From these statistics it seems our hard work in teaching young motorists, aged 17 to 25, who have only held a license for a short time are listening to the message.”
Ieuan Wyn Jones, deputy first minister, said he welcomed the national statistics showing the number of people either killed or injured on Welsh roads is the lowest since 1968.
Casualties
The figures show that last year there were 7,126 road accidents involving personal injury recorded by the police in Wales, eight per cent fewer than in 2008.
These accidents resulted in 10,354 casualties, seven per cent fewer than in 2008 and 125 deaths, which is 12 per cent fewer than 2008.
The statistics also show that 1,096 people were seriously injured in 2009, 13 per cent fewer than in 2008 and 9,133 people were slightly injured, a decrease of seven per cent compared with the previous year.
Mr Wyn Jones said: “These figures show that casualties on our roads are now the lowest since records began.
“In every category, from deaths to the number of accidents, we have seen falls and this must be welcomed.”
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I thought the UK had the most speed cameras in Europe?
They do not seem to be working.
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I also believe that wales has more mobile speed cameras than most regions, however the statement …
“but in Mid Wales the number of motorists killed on roads in the region has risen by almost 25 per cent in 12 months.” …shows that speed cameras aren’t the answer.
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