Fewer death and injury accidents on Wirral's roads (From Wirral Globe)

Fewer death and injury accidents on Wirral's roads

1:28pm Monday 9th July 2012 in News By Leigh Marles

The number of deaths and serious injuries from traffic accidents in Wirral has fallen dramatically.

Latest figures show that from a peak in 2006 when 194 incidents were recorded, there were only 117 in 2011, a drop of 36 per cent.

The reduction means Wirral is bucking a trend which has seen 50 local authority areas in England registering a higher than ten per cent increase in “killed and seriously injured” crash rates.

The biggest increases were in St Helens – 62 per cent, Portsmouth – 57 per cent, Stoke on Trent – 57 per cent, and Coventry – 51 per cent.

A further 76 councils saw increases in the rate above the national average of two per cent.

Councillor Harry Smith, cabinet member for Streetscene and transport services, said: “We are continuously working to improve road safety and I am pleased to see that our efforts are showing positive results.

“However, there is still more to do and we will continue to take a very pro-active approach working with local schools, learner drivers, motorcyclists and our partners such as Merseyside Police and the fire and rescue service to make Wirral’s roads safer.”

Overall, the number of people killed in road accidents in England has increased by three per cent, from 1,850 in 2010 to 1,901 in 2011 - the first rise since 2003.

Institute of Advanced Motorists chief executive Simon Best said: “Road accidents usually drop during an economic recession, so this rise after continuous reductions over the last ten years is particularly concerning.

“Ministers should take this as a serious warning.

“Cutting road safety education and reductions in local authority spending all suggest that road safety isn’t a major priority for this government.

“We need targets on reducing casualties for local councils so that performance can be checked.

"This would help make sure that councils look at new and innovative ways to save lives on our roads.”

Wirral recently introduced a 20mph speed limit in all residential roads.