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Road deaths fall to record lows | Road deaths fall to record lows |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Road deaths have fallen to their lowest level since records began in 1928, according to figures published by the Department for Transport. | Road deaths have fallen to their lowest level since records began in 1928, according to figures published by the Department for Transport. |
Last year a total of 2,946 people died - a 7% reduction on the previous year when 3,172 died. | Last year a total of 2,946 people died - a 7% reduction on the previous year when 3,172 died. |
The statistics show loss of control of a vehicle was a factor in a third of all fatal road accidents in 2007. | The statistics show loss of control of a vehicle was a factor in a third of all fatal road accidents in 2007. |
The figures also showed there were 247,780 road casualties - which is 4% fewer than in 2006. | The figures also showed there were 247,780 road casualties - which is 4% fewer than in 2006. |
According to the statistics, factors in crashes involving younger drivers, particularly males, were more likely to relate to speed and behaviour. | According to the statistics, factors in crashes involving younger drivers, particularly males, were more likely to relate to speed and behaviour. |
And contributory factors in cases involving older drivers were more likely to be related to vision and judgment. | And contributory factors in cases involving older drivers were more likely to be related to vision and judgment. |
The government's data also showed there were 460 deaths when someone was driving while over the legal alcohol limit in 2007 - an 18% drop on the 560 figure in 2006. | The government's data also showed there were 460 deaths when someone was driving while over the legal alcohol limit in 2007 - an 18% drop on the 560 figure in 2006. |
'Sustained improvement' | |
The RAC Foundation said it welcomed the findings, which showed over 50% of the improvements in car driver fatalities were in the "much-criticised young driver community". | |
But it said there "was no room for complacency", with drivers between 16 and 29 years old making up 42% of all driver fatalities. | |
Sheila Rainger, deputy director of the RAC Foundation, said the road safety community must ensure this was "a sustained improvement and not a flash in the pan". | |
Continuing to develop positive driver attitudes - particularly among young and new drivers - better communication between road users, high-profile enforcement by traffic police and engineering improvements at accident hotspots would help, she said. | |
Fundamental problems such as bad driving, drink driving and distractions like mobile phones still need to be addressed, the RAC Foundation added. |
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