ROAD safety campaigners say the number of people killed in traffic accidents across Merseyside remains 'unacceptably' high.

Figures revealed by national charity RoadPeace Northwest show a slight drop, with 23 last year, compared to 26 in 2017.

Pauline Fielding, the charity's northwest co-ordinator, is urging the government to take a bolder approach to reducing casualties after the Department for Transport reported 1,782 road deaths on Britain's roads in 2018.

Mrs Fielding, whose son Andrew was killed in a road crash in 1994, said: "I am disappointed that in Merseyside and other parts of the country the death and serious injury statistics remain unacceptably high.

"Each death or serious injury has devastating effects on so many people and changes lives forever.

"The only acceptable target is that of no avoidable fatalities or serious injuries on the road, Vision Zero.

"This target was adopted by Merseyside's Police and crime commissioner in 2017 and more recently by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

"To achieve this commendable target, councils, PCCs, police, fire and rescue services, campaigners and other partners need to work together and they need to be given the necessary resources to achieve this."

RoadPeace is urging the government to take a bolder approach to reducing casualties. after The Department for Transport reported 1,782 road deaths on Britain's roads in 2018. Among those calling is Mark Edwards, whose son Thomas was killed in a hit and run.

Mr Edwards said: "One of the main reasons for the high number of unacceptable and unnecessary deaths on our roads is the government continuing to not address the outdated laws surrounding death by dangerous driving and the lenient sentences given at court.

"In October 2017 this was discussed in parliament, and to this day the government have continued to ignore the seriousness to the crime – letting courts issue sentences that don’t fit the crime."

It is worth noting that the figure of 1,782 is widely accepted to not be an accurate one.

The reported number excludes those deaths which occurred more than 30 days after the crash. It also excludes deaths to unborn children.

The Luxon family is campaigning to change this restriction after a dangerous driver killed their 26 week old unborn daughter.

A further 25,484 people were reported by police to have been seriously injured in crashes in 2018.

This will include those with life changing injuries as well as those deaths occurring beyond 30 days.

RoadPeace believe much more can be done to reduce road deaths, injuries and road danger.

The Transport Select Committee has conducted an inquiry into road safety and launched an inquiry into young and novice driver safety.

For details, call the RoadPeace helpline on 0845 4500 355.