Figures reveal 54 people are killed or seriously injured on Yorkshire's roads every week

A shocking 54 people are killed or seriously injured on roads in Yorkshire and the Humber every week, according to analysis by the road safety charity Brake.
File photo.File photo.
File photo.

The findings have been published to mark today’s launch of national Road Safety Week, supported by Kwik-Fit and Specsavers, which is shining a light on campaigners who are “Stepping Up for Safe Streets” and improving the safety of roads.

A UK-wide survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Brake, has also shown that nearly a third of adults were in a collision, or had a near miss, with a vehicle on a UK road in the past year, with a quarter (26%) of residents in Yorkshire and the Humber stating they were involved in such incidents.

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Road safety campaigners believe that crashes and near misses have a big impact on people’s perceptions of safety, making streets feel less welcoming and holding people back from choosing to walk and cycle, modes of transport which reduce the danger for others.

Road danger is a serious issue in Yorkshire and the Humber. 182 people were killed and 2,649 seriously injured on the region’s roads in 2018.

The number of people killed on the roads represented a 14% increase on 2017, when a total of 160 people were killed.

In North Yorkshire, there were a total of 368 casualties last year.

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Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “These findings paint an alarming picture of the danger on Yorkshire and the Humber’s roads and yet it’s what we’re all exposed to, every day, when getting about.

"We shouldn’t have to accept this level of risk as part of our daily lives and so we are calling on everyone to “Step Up” for Road Safety Week and shout out for the solutions that we know can make our roads safe.

“Across the region, people are working tirelessly to campaign for safe streets, organising petitions, meeting with MPs and councillors and raising money and awareness.

"This Road Safety Week we want everyone to think about how they can do their bit and step up for safe streets. Can you join or start a local campaign? Do you need to take the car on your next journey, or could you walk, cycle or get the bus?

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"If you are travelling by car, will you pledge to always keep within speed limits and never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs? Let’s all Step Up for Safe Streets and, together, we can help make roads safer for everyone.”

Brake is inspiring stories of supporters in the region who are campaigning to reduce road danger and is also advising how everyone can step up in their daily lives, suggesting that people choose to leave the car at home, to help improve safety and air quality, or pledge to be a safe driver, always keeping within speed limits and never drinking or taking drugs and driving.

Schoolchildren, community groups and employees across the region will be taking part in Road Safety Week by learning about, and celebrating, the safe systems solutions which can eliminate death and serious injury from the roads – from 20mph limits in urban areas, to technology which can prevent vehicles from speeding.

Another simple way for people in the region to get involved is by completing Brake’s survey about the safety of the streets where you live.

The findings will be shared with local authorities to help them understand the views of the people who live, work and play on their streets.