LOWEST ROAD DEATHS
30 June 2005 - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

The number of people killed on Britain''s roads in 2004 was the lowest figure since records began in 1926, figures published by the Department for Transport today show.

In 2004, 3,221 people died in road accidents, down 287 or 8% on the figures from 2003 when 3,508 people were killed. This is despite an estimated increase in road traffic of 2 per cent in 2004.

Road safety Minister Stephen Ladyman said:

''The figures released today are very encouraging, with a substantial drop in the number of people who died on Britain''s roads. However, one year''s figures should not make anyone feel complacent. Nearly 9 people a day still died in road accidents last year and that figure is still too high.

''Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and the Government is committed to improving it further. We are currently taking a Road Safety Bill through Parliament which contains a raft of measures to build on the progress we are making. The Government will continue to highlight the importance of road safety and to remind all road users of their responsibilities to themselves and others.''

The Government has a target for reducing casualties by 2010. We want to see:

* 40 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents compared with the average for 1994-98;
* 50 per cent reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured;
* 10 per cent reduction in the slight casualty rate, expressed as the number of people slightly injured per 100 million vehicle kilometres.

Against these targets, the figures for casualties in 2004 indicate
that:

* the number of people killed or seriously injured was 28 per cent below the baseline;
* the number of children killed or seriously injured was 43 per cent below the baseline;
* the provisional estimate of the rate of slight casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres was 20 per cent below the 1994-98 average.

www.dft.gov.uk

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