126 fewer people were killed or seriously injured on the roads in Bedfordshire and Luton in 2006, compared to the mid-nineties.

The last casualty figures published by the Department for Transport show that in Bedfordshire and Luton, in 2006:

- 32 people were killed
- 240 people were seriously injured
- 2,043 people were slightly injured

Compared to 1994-8 annual average (baseline):

Fatal and serious casualties have decreased from 398 to 272 - a 32% decrease which is equivalent to 126 fewer people per year.

The number of children killed or seriously injured has decreased from 53 to 22 - a 58% decrease.

Casualties sustaining slight injuries have decreased by 20% - around 500 fewer people in 2006 than in 1994-98 (annual average).

These figures represent good progress towards the Government's casualty reduction targets of 40% reduction in KSI, 50% reduction in child KSI, 10% reduction in slight injury casualties.

Of the fatal and serious casualties:

63 were motorcyclists (23% - despite accounting for just 1-2% of the traffic on the roads).
Of these: 38 involved bikes over 500cc; 25 involved bikes under 500cc.

76 were car drivers (28%). Of these: 40 (more than half) were aged between 17 and 24 years old; 23 were working drivers.

47 were car passengers (17%).

54 were pedestrians (20%).

Chief Inspector Mark Buckton, Head of Roads Policing, Bedfordshire Police said:

"We are pleased to see a progressive reduction in casualties, but with nearly 300 people still dying or being seriously injured on our roads each year, there's plenty more to do.

"The real tragedy is that almost all accidents are completely avoidable and are the result of people's actions. Working with our partner organisations, through education and publicity, we will continue to raise awareness of hazards, to improve people's knowledge and to change people's attitudes and behaviour on the roads.

"We will continue to focus our enforcement activity on speeding; use of mobile phones whilist driving; use of seat belts and child restraints and drink/drug driving. We will also specifically target drivers of vehicles that are not roadworthy, untaxed, uninsured and unregistered."

Notes for editors:

The Department for Transport has released offical road casualty figures from data that is collected each year from every Police Force in Britain.

In 2000, the Government set targets for casualty reduction for 2010, compared to the 1994-98 annual average basline figure.

40% reduction in people killed and seriously injured (KSI).
50% reduction in children killed or seriously injured.
10% reduction in slight injury cases.

The Bedfordshrire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership is a strategic partnership between Bedfordshire County Council, Luton Borough Council, Highways Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Her Majesty's Court Service and the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service.

We are committed to reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads, through a combined strategy of road safety education, road safety engineering and law enforcement.

The Government's Report Road Casualties Great Britain 2006 Main Results can be found by clicking on the link.