Lowest number of road deaths in Northamptonshire during 2011 since records began
THE number of people killed on the county’s roads last year was the lowest since official records began.
There were 19 deaths on Northamptonshire’s roads during 2011, down from 24 in 2010 and continuing the downward trend of the past six years.
The drop represented a 21 per cent fall compared with 2010, and a 44 per cent decrease compared with 2009, when 34 people died.
It also represents a significant fall from as recently as 2006, when 74 people were killed.
Official records were first introduced in 1960 and the highest year total was in 1989, when 108 people were killed.
The latest figures come despite the county’s casualty reduction partnership being disbanded, leading to all 40 fixed speed cameras being switched off on April 1 last year.
In September, Northamptonshire Police said they have seen a three-fold increase in motorists breaking the speed limit since the cameras were turned off, but no increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured.
Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said: “One death on our roads is one too many and we must not forget that behind each statistic is a grieving family or someone coming to terms with a life-changing injury.
“We would urge all drivers and road users to think about their driving behaviour and help us to make Northamptonshire’s roads safer for everyone.”
Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for public protection, said: “It is very good news that the number of deaths has fallen and this reflects the hard work of all the agencies involved in keeping our county roads safe.
“However, we should also remember that there are 19 families who have spent the festive period without their loved ones and we will continue to do all we can to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Woman’s body found after ‘suicide’ in Northampton hotel room
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Staff strike at Northampton school over academy plans forces closure
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Exclusive: PM David Cameron says Northamptonshire Police Commissioner role is “a big job for a big local figure”
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
lady muck
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 10:46 AMCommon Sense...in my previous life as an insurance underwriter I was often told ' Young drivers have better reflexes than old drivers', 'Fast cars enable one to accelerate out of trouble'. 'I drive better when I'm drunk because I am especially cautious'. Somehow the statistics never backed this up !
AbingtonAll
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 09:13 PMWell said 'Lady Muck'.
willi eckaslyke
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 02:25 PMAlso, Common sense (how did you arrive at that name?), it would be a mistake to rely on the young...they are too busy relying on us... we supply the cars.
20th Century Cynic
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 02:09 PMI think the insurance companies with their factual data might contest your somewhat anecdotal opinion, common sense
Common sense
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 01:35 PMLady Muck--there are a lot of younf drivers out there who are far better dreivers than some middle aged old or retired who are a hazzard on the road. Its about time we stopped bashing the young as we wil be relying on them in the future to look after us or fund our pensions. Given the mess we have created all those (wars since ww2, economy, environment, education, i couldn't blame them for telling us to get lost ! We should not be too smug.
20th Century Cynic
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:34 AMCompletely agree with Lady Muck. By the way, what is the problem with speed cameras anyway? We all know the limits, and you will only get fined if you drive too fast? Fair cop to me
Finker
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:32 AMGoing faster than the speed limit rarely makes it less likely you will have an accident. Taking one year's figures in isolation proves nothing, figures go up and down each year. If a handful of speed cameras distract people so much maybe they should ask if they are fit to drive. Putting them on blind bends seems fine, if you can't see the camera and slow down to the speed limit then you aren't in control.
lady muck
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:31 AMLikely cause of casualty reduction is that we are driving less and driving more slowly. High insurance rates are reducing the number of young drivers and cars are becoming safer.
Clare_M
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:16 AMAs we don't know the cause of the 19 very sad deaths, it's clear the 'speed kills' mantra is misleading at best. Targeting bad driving and improving driver skills is where the real focus should lie. However, the increasing cost of fuel may have had the biggest impact on the deaths as many of us are using the car less. I agree that the speed cameras should be dismantled, though they do serve as a reminder and to be honest, I wouldn't fully trust them not to be turned on once in a while either!
Chrispy1
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:14 AMPending Moderation
bouncer
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:59 AMPLEASE can we now have all the static cameras uprooted and cleared away - there are far too many ridiculous road side signs etc to distract motorists...
TheCount
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:36 AMIs that after they turned the camera's off ? The cameras were a joke, a money making exercise that fell flat. The cameras should have been put outside schools and busy shopping streets not at the bottom of hills and on blind bends. Another case of those in power making policy to suit themselves rather than the people they are supposed to serve,
Common sense
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 09:59 AMSo much for speed cameras!
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.