Leeds gets top marks for road casualty reductions

New figures have revealed that eight wards in Leeds have seen the biggest reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on the roads in West Yorkshire.

The recent West Yorkshire-wide study shows that nine of the top ten most improved wards are in Leeds, with the best performing ward overall achieving a very impressive reduction of 94 KSIs over a five year period.

Lots of things have contributed to these impressive results including.

• Improvements to road layout, signage, street lighting, and increased numbers of 20mph zones;
• Targeted safety schemes, higher standards in road maintenance and highways improvements at or near new development sites;
• Safety cameras for speed and red light violations plus additional enforcement action by West Yorkshire Police to target high risk offenders;
• Road safety education and practical training delivered to primary school pupils in ‘priority areas’. Secondary schools also have a programme of road safety education, which is supported by West Yorkshire Police and the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Cycle and pedestrian training delivered by council road safety trainers, supported by other agencies, school staff and parent volunteers; and
• Raising awareness of the issues that road users regularly face and getting the message across effectively by tying them into specific national and/or regional publicity campaigns whenever possible.

Councillor Stuart Andrew, lead member for road safety said:

“These are fantastic results for Leeds and a tribute to the hard work that is put into road casualty reduction by officers from the council and other agencies.

"Our programme of road safety initiatives is ongoing and to make sure that these improvements continue I would ask all road users and pedestrians to follow the advice in the highway code and take extra care on and near the roads.”

ENDS

Notes to editor
The study looked at the change in the number of people killed or seriously injured by comparing the five year period 1994-1998 with those achieved during the period 2004-2008.

Three ‘priority areas’ feature in the top six most improved wards and the improvements in these areas include significant reductions in the number of child pedestrians killed or seriously injured.

The council’s road safety promotion unit aims to educate the people of Leeds about road safety and offers a comprehensive service to nurseries, schools and colleges. It offers advice to parents, drivers and pedestrians and is involved in local, regional and national campaigns.

The unit can be contacted on 0113 247 5198, or by email to road.safety@leeds.gov.uk or via the council’s website at www.leeds.gov.uk/roadsafety

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk