Concern over the number of deaths on Wealden roads
.jpg "Concern over the number of deaths on Wealden roads")
More people have been killed or seriously injured on Wealden roads over the last three-and-a-half years than in any other East Sussex district or borough.
The total number of people seriously injured or killed in Wealden in 2006 was 140, 20 of them died. In 2007 the total number was 122, 12 of them died. In 2008 the total killed or injured was 145, 17 of them died. Between January and October 2009 111 people were killed or seriously injured on Wealden Roads, 12 of the total died.
Rother was the next district to suffer heavily from casualties with the total number killed or seriously injured in 2006 being 97, in 2007 76, in 2008 83 and in the ten month period of 2009 62 were killed or seriously injured on Rother roads.
Wealden District Council has analysed the statistics and sought advice from a variety of agencies on ways the figures could be reduced.
A report due to be considered by the council's community scrutiny committee which meets today (Monday) says figures 'paint a depressing picture'. If those numbers of casualties occurred through any other cause, 'such as several coach crashes, a plane crash, an outbreak of illness, then there would be public outcry'.
It goes on to say that Wealden has the longest lenths of road of any district or borough in East Sussex and when measured against this criteria the lowest number of killed or seriously injured casualties per kilometre of road.
Research revealed that the 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 age groups are those most at risk, June and July were often the most common months for crashes and the most common time of day for serious crashes was between 4pm and 6pm.
Members of the Wealden working party investigating the figures was particularly struck by a statement from the Institute of Advanced Motorists that: 'Rural roads are a particular challenge to younger drivers - a challenge for which their driving instruction and driving test may not adequately prepare them.'
The full report, which contains recommendations on how the council can influence the issue of road safety, can be read at http://bit.ly/7Wp8IA.
(Added to site Monday, January 18th, 2010)
