Dramatic fall in road fatalities in Cumbria

9:44am Wednesday 14th January 2009

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ROAD deaths in Cumbria fell dramatically in 2008, according to the latest figures.

Last year saw 30 fatalities on the county’s roads, compared with 45 in 2007, and 59 in 2006.

According to provisional figures published by Safer Roads for Cumbria, the county had the lowest road fatality figure for many years, with serious injuries also recording a reduction – down from 274 to 238.

Slight injuries were also lower at 1,792, compared with 2,099 for 2007. In common with previous years, the majority of those fatally injured were local – 25 compared with five from outside Cumbria.

County councillor Alan Clark, cabinet member with responsibility for road safety, said: “The combined killed and serious injury casualties by which the county is judged, have been falling since 2003, and in 2007 we came in under the Government’s 2010 target for Cumbria three years early.

“What is significant about the 2008 statistics is that for the first time we have significantly reduced the number of fatalities.

“To realise a 35 per cent drop over the previous year’s fatal figures is a major success and demonstrates what can be achieved,” added Coun Clark. “For many years, fatalities averaged out at around 50 killed each year and this represents a major break in that loop.”

Chris Broadbent, Safer Roads for Cumbria’s road safety co-ordinator, said: ”Although these figures are provisional and may change slightly when audited by the Department for Transport, they represent a major achievement in the county’s attempts to reduce the tragedy of road fatalities and highlight what can be achieved by strong partnership working.”