Statistics released today by the
Department for Transport show there has been an increase in the number of road
users either killed or seriously injured. The number of killed or seriously
injured casualties (KSIs) increased by 6 per cent last year – to 25,160. By
DfT’s own admission, this change is statistically significant.
Between July and September
2016, the change was even more pronounced – KSI casualties increased by 8 per
cent when compared to the same period in 2015.
All road user groups saw an increase
in the number of people killed or seriously injured: car occupants,
pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. There were also 2,070 children
killed or seriously injured in the year ending September 2016 – an increase of
8 per cent.
Daniel
Zeichner MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Minister, responding to
statistics released today by the Department of Transport, said:
“These statistics are worrying. We
want everyone to feel safe on the roads, whether they are walking, in a car, on
a bike, on a bus, or using a motorcycle. It’s hugely concerning to see the
increase in the number of children killed or injured in road collisions.
“Funding cuts to the police by
this Tory Government have seen resources being diverted from road policing
which inhibits the effective enforcement of penalties for dangerous drivers. If we are to make our roads safer, it’s crucial that road
safety targets are reinstated and that police forces have the resources they
need.”
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