Fatal accidents in County Durham DOUBLE in a year
Drivers are being urged to take extra care as fatal road accidents soar in our region.
The number of people killed in road accidents across our region have more than doubled in the last year.
The number of fatalities across County Durham and Darlington increased to 31 during 2015-16, compared to 14 the previous year.
Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC) is encouraging drivers to take extra care, as he publishes his overall Public Performance Report for 2015-16 on his website at: <a class="article-body-link" href="http://www.durham-pcc.gov.uk/Your-Police/Performance/Police-Performance.aspx "www.durham-pcc.gov.uk"">www.durham-pcc.gov.uk.
Ron said: “I am saddened by the number of deaths on our roads, many of which could potentially have been avoided. Whilst our area is predominantly rural, the police data shows that there has been no clear pattern to the types of fatal accidents during the last financial year.
“Therefore I am calling on all road users to ensure they take plenty of time for their journeys, to avoid making rash decisions when driving, and to pay extra care and attention so that we reduce the number of needless fatalities and injuries. We all want everyone to get home safely.”
In addition to the number of fatalities increasing by 17 people, the overall number of police recorded road traffic collisions, in which people have been killed or seriously injured, has increased by 72 incidents, compared to the year before.
Cllr Joy Allen, Chair of the Durham Police and Crime Panel, said: “Road safety is key priority for the Council and residents alike. Working closely with Ron, the Safe Durham Partnership delivers targeted road safety education and training to vulnerable groups.
“These include the National Drivers Offender Retraining Scheme and Wise Drive which is aimed at year 11 students which aims to positively influence attitudes and behaviours of young drivers focusing on the fatal four most common cause of death and serious injury; drink and drug driving, failing to wear seatbelts, excess speed and distractions such as the use of mobile phones. Last year 25 secondary schools attended this excellent event, unfortunately 17 others did not attend and we will be encouraging all schools to take part this year to help reduce make roads safer and save lives.”
Colin Bage, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Many people are travelling across County Durham and Darlington on busy roads leading very busy lives. A lapse in concentration, a risk taken to save a few seconds of time, driving too fast or too close to other cars are all actions which can lead to road traffic collisions altering lives for ever causing death or terrible life-changing injuries.
“As a fire service we are called on to extricate people quickly and safety from their vehicles with state-of-the-art equipment. We see the consequences of collisions on our roads every day and the pain and disruption that they cause. We would urge everyone to slow down and take extra care – many people take risks in their cars that they wouldn’t take in any other areas of their life.”
Other performance data has also been published today. Reported crime overall has increased, including burglary and criminal damage over the winter months.
There were 3,214 fewer victims of anti-social behaviour throughout the force area during 2015-16, which was 11 per cent lower compared to the year before.