More effort needed to tackle road deaths

4.36.37pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

Prospective MP for Meon Valley Liz Leffman wants to see more effort made to prevent road deaths

Liz Leffman has called for more effort to tackle road deaths in Hampshire following officially released figures that show deaths on the county's roads have risen by almost 30 per cent.

Ninety-four people were killed on roads across the county in 2007 - up from 72 the previous year, while serious injuries also increased, from 800 to 855, according to the Department of Transport figures.

Liz, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, said: "This is bad news for Hampshire residents. The figures released from the DoT show that road deaths in our county have risen significantly, whereas nationally, road deaths and injuries are at the lowest level since records began.

"Conservative-run Hampshire County Council should be making road safety a much bigger priority, though its past history of tackling the problem leaves a lot to be desired.

"The half-baked initiative which offers schools the chance to take part in an 'advisory' 20mph scheme at a cost of £200 just for two signs or £450 for signs with posts if they want to take part is outrageous."

Liz added: "To begin a serious effort to reduce road casualties - especially amongst young children - we still believe the best move would be for the County Council to introduce compulsory 20mph speed limits in areas close to schools. If not, then the least they could do is supply the advisory signs to schools free of charge."