Cumbria police have announced a massive 50 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Cumbria’s roads over the last ten years.

Data reveals that 553 serious injuries or deaths occurred as a result of road traffic collisions on Cumbrian roads annually between1994-98. In 2008, this figure dropped dramatically to 277 – representing a 50 per cent decrease. The number of people who tragically lost their lives in collisions in Cumbria has also significantly reduced from 59 recorded in 2006 to 29 in 2008.

Police say the reduction is down to the amount of work and effort officers and partners have put into educating drivers and launching road safety initiatives across the county.

Dickie Watt, Cumbria Constabulary’s traffic analyst on behalf of Cumbria Casualty Reduction Partnership said: ““We want motorists to be confident that the roads they are using are being policed effectively, which is why so much work goes into launching initiatives around educating motorists.

“The last five years have seen the biggest reductions since the Cumbria Casualty Reduction Partnership was actively launched in 2002/3 along with the introduction of safety cameras across the county.

“We’re really encouraged by the way the figures are moving but there is still a long way to go in getting motorists to take on board our road safety advice. Officers and other emergency services have to deal with the horrific aftermath of collisions and the traumatic effects they have on those involved, the victim’s families, communities and other road users should never be forgotten.”