Humberside Police Reveal Determination To Drive Down Number of Casualties

The number of people killed on roads in East Yorkshire fell to just eight last year and Humberside Police have confirmed plans to try to reduce the figure further.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, the figure was down from 14 deaths in 2012 and was also a drop of around two-thirds from 2009, when the number of fatalities reached 23.

However, it was also revealed that the number of incidents defined as serious crashes was up from 167 in 2012 to 179 in 2013, with the number of seriously injured casualties also increasing to 161 from the previous figure of 137.

Commenting on the figures, Inspector Mark Hughes said that officers would be continuing to work to push figures further down with a focus on main A roads, as well as improving the skills of those behind the wheel.

He explained to the newspaper: “It's not just about enforcement, it's about educating people to be better drivers. We want people to drive safely.”

The release of the figures has come after road safety charity, Brake, welcomed news that the number of people arrested for drink-driving over Christmas and New Year was lower than the previous year, despite an increase in enforcement activity across the period.

Expert Opinion

Any fall in the number of people killed has to be welcomed but, as the police have highlighted, any number of deaths on the road is too many and work needs to continue on this. <br/> <br/>"Despite the reduction in deaths, it is worrying to see the number of serious crashes and victims seriously injured in such incidents increase and – having seen the massive physical and psychological impact that crashes can have on those involved – it is clear this is something that needs to change. <br/> <br/>"Road safety needs to be a priority for all road users and it is important that this message is emphasised." Cathryn Godfrey - Associate