Death toll on county roads

Nearly 130 people were killed or seriously injured on roads across Powys in just nine months last year - with a total of 24 people dying on roads in the Dyfed Powys area.Police chiefs from the Dyed Powys force today said the figure had dropped since 2007 following safety and road awareness schemes but that "one death is one too many".

The force area had 33 deaths and 204 serious injuries between April and December 2007. Provisional figures for 2008 show 24 deaths and 183 serious injuries over the same time span.

In Powys alone, the force saw the reduction of people killed or seriously injured on the roads fall by 16 from 144 in 2007 to 128 in 2008.

Chief Inspector Steve Matchett, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said he was pleased that the amount of motorists being killed or seriously injured had fallen.

He said the force had saw a reduction of total casualties by 452 from 2,682 in 2007 to 2,230 in 2008.

"We are pleased to see fewer people being killed and injured on our roads," he said. "The roads policing unit has been working hard with our neighbourhood policing teams and external partners to ensure people are safe on our roads."

And he said the force would continue to do all it could to prevent road deaths and casualties from happening.

"One death is one too many and we will continue with our work to reduce casualties and educate motorists," he added.

"Some of the initiatives we have used to help reduce the number of accidents in the force area include Operation Darwen, which saw the targeting of indiscriminate riding behaviour by motorcyclists and Bikesafe which taught motorcyclists how to stay safe on the roads.

"The force also participates in the all Wales campaigns targeting drink driving, motorcyclists, in car safety and driving with mobile phones."

Police forces are given a detailed definition of "serious injuries" by the Department for Transport.

It includes anyone kept in hospital as an inpatient or people who sustain fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushing, burns, severe cuts and severe general shock needing treatment.