Please close this window to return to the LARSOA news pages

Roads are safer - but bike deaths dent figures

A study by the AA Motoring Trust says an overall improvement in road safety is being undermined by the high number of motorbike crashes.

The survey, which looked at accident statistics from 2001 to 2003, showed that overall Britain's roads are getting much safer. Roads rated as high to medium risk for serious or fatal accidents, judged by collisions against quantity of traffic, fell by 30 per cent since 2002. But rural roads continue to be the most dangerous, especially for those riding motorbikes.

The study also shows that three of the top 15 most improved roads were in Scotland - accident rates on these roads fell by up to 55 per cent.

AA spokesman Neil Greig said great strides had been made in tackling dangerous roads and making motorists safer. "Big wins in road safety, such as compulsory seatbelt wearing or changing attitudes to drink-driving, have saved thousands of lives," he said.

The report says dangerous roads have been 'transformed' by speed cameras and limits, lighting, resurfacing, signs and traffic lights.

"The report shows how simple road-engineering solutions, together with speed compliance technology on unforgiving roads, can slash the death toll," Neil Greg added.

For further information go t to h ttp://news.bbc.co.uk_1

And/or http://news.bbc.co.uk_2

www.larsoa.org.uk