Police hail road safety figures

THERE has been a huge reduction in deaths and serious injuries on North Devon and Torridge roads over the summer holiday period. A series of road safety initiatives has helped make a major impact on the number of serious accidents in the region at a time

THERE has been a huge reduction in deaths and serious injuries on North Devon and Torridge roads over the summer holiday period.A series of road safety initiatives has helped make a major impact on the number of serious accidents in the region at a time when the roads have been at their busiest, reports Road Casualty Reduction Officer PC Nick Porter.National figures have fallen significantly, with road deaths and serious injuries down 36 per cent during the busy period from April 1-August 31. Devon figures are even better, with deaths down 54 per cent compared with last year.But the northern Devon area beats them all, with road deaths down by 75 per cent during this period and serious injuries down 48 per cent.PC Porter reported that, during this period in 2007, the region had eight fatalities compared with only two this year. Serious accidents fell from 27 to 14 and slight injury accidents from 186 to 144. Total collisions were 217 last year and 160 this summer.Commitment"These figures are particularly encouraging when you consider the vast increase in vehicle numbers on our roads during the summer months," he said. "They are a testament to the commitment shown by all the agencies involved in delivering the road safety message. This hard work will continue in an attempt to improve these figures still further."Successful operations have included Operations Quickstrike and Vortex, using unmarked police vehicles with camera equipment on the region's main routes, such as the A361 and A377 and also high profile campaigns with marked vehicles and operations in conjunction with other agencies running throughout the summer."Collectively these have had a marked impact and they will continue," said PC Porter. "The figures are satisfying, but any deaths are too many and we must not be complacent." Operation Quickstrike, using unmarked cars and motorcycles, would be returning to the region's roads from October 25-30, he said.Motorists should be aware that they were three times more likely to be involved in a serious collision on a rural road, added PC Porter. Loss of control and inappropriate speed were the main factors in all serious accidents.