Number of road deaths increases (From Campaign Series)

Number of road deaths increases

10:00am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Campaign news

 

THE number of people who died on Gwent roads rose in 2011 new figures show.

New figures from the Welsh Government show there were 17 deaths on Gwent roads in 2011 – a rise of eight since 2010.

Of the deaths, five in 2011 were motorcyclists, compared to four the year before. Wales-wide figures also showed a rise.

The majority of those deaths – 13 – happened in the county of Monmouthshire.

But a Gwent police spokesman said there was no particular reason why so many deaths were located there.

There were 134 people seriously injured last year, up from 118 in 2010.

Despite the year-on-year rise the figures for 2011 are down on the same figures for 2001 – when there were 29 deaths following road accidents in the region.

It is understood that so far this year there have been ten deaths in Gwent – with only one in Monmouthshire.

Monmouthshire traffic and network manager Paul Keeble said the council had worked closely with Gwent Police and local community and motorcycle groups and has made considerable progress in reducing road fatalities.

Measures to prevent motorcycle accidents have included the provision of termporary warning signs on popular motorcycle routes, supported by information illustrating the number of recent incidents.

  “Fortunately we have experienced very few incidents since these measures have been taken," said Mr Keeble.

Gwent police superintendent Jim Baker said the force was dissapointed at the rise in road deaths and serious injuries after a large fall in 2010.

"Just one fatality on our roads is one too many," he said.

As well as carrying out regular patrols, Gwent Police officers also regularly visit schools to educate drivers and run workshops for adult drivers and motorcyclists.

“We also run Gwent-wide and all-Wales campaigns to inform members of the public about road safety issues such as drink driving and wearing seatbelts.

A Welsh Government spokesman said it was disappointing that the number of fatalities increased last year, but the Wales wide figures do represent the second lowest number of fatal collisions in the country since records began.