More than 130 people killed or seriously injured on West Northamptonshire roads in one year
A total of 134 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in West Northamptonshire last year, as council officials acknowledge that progress in reducing casualties has slowed.
The figure for 2025 has been revealed in West Northamptonshire Council's draft Road Safety Strategy, which outlines plans to improve safety across the area over the next two decades.
According to the document, the number of people killed or seriously injured has fluctuated in recent years, without showing a sustained downward trend.
The council says injury collisions and casualties have also returned to pre-pandemic levels, despite significant improvements over previous decades.
Its analysis highlights several concerning trends, including the disproportionate risks faced by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Nearly one in four road fatalities recorded over the five years to December 2025 involved motorcyclists, while children accounted for more than a quarter of pedestrian casualties.
Speed-related factors were identified in nearly 43% of collisions during the same period.
The council also found that ineffective observation was the most commonly recorded individual contributory factor, associated with 33% of collisions.
Urban areas experience the greatest concentration of collisions, while rural roads account for a disproportionate number of fatal and serious incidents.
The findings have informed a new strategy aimed at reducing casualties through improved road layouts, speed management, education and enforcement.
Councillor Richard Butler, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Too many people are still being killed or seriously injured on our roads. We want to do everything we can to prevent that from happening.”
He added: “This strategy sets out our ideas for making roads safer, but we want to hear what people think.”
The council is proposing measures including reviewing speed limits, improving pedestrian safety and making greater use of technology to identify dangerous locations.
Residents are being invited to comment on the draft strategy before the consultation closes on December 6, 2026.
A virtual drop-in session will take place on November 23, between 10am and 11.30am, with council officers available to answer questions.
Feedback will help shape the final strategy, which is expected to be considered by the council's cabinet in spring 2027.
The council's longer-term ambition is to work towards eliminating road fatalities across West Northamptonshire.