New figures show road deaths down

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6177209.stm

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The number of road deaths in Wales has dropped by more than a third over the last decade, according to Welsh Assembly Government statistics.

In 2005, 1,326 people were killed or seriously injured, a reduction of 34% since 1994-98, which is the average baseline for UK Government targets.

The number of children killed or seriously injured was 135 - 53% lower than the 1994-98 average.

The figures are based on road accidents involving reported personal injuries.

In 2005, 75% of all casualties were car, taxi or minibus users and 11% were pedestrians.

People killed or seriously injured -34%Children killed or seriously injured -53%Casualties aged 16-25 -7%Pedestrian casualties -31%Pedal cyclist casualties -41%

Just five per cent were motorcyclists or moped users and three per cent were cyclists.

Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, Andrew Davies, said: "The marked reduction in the number of people killed or injured on Welsh roads last year is extremely welcome - and very encouraging.

"The assembly government is striving to achieve a major improvement in road safety in Wales and the figures indicate that we are making significant headway.

"This, of course, should prompt us not to be complacent about road safety, but to redouble our efforts."