London, Great Britain – New figures, released by Transport for London (TfL), show another sharp reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on London’s roads.

The figures compare the first six months of 2005 with the equivalent period in 2004 and casualties on the Capital’s roads have continued to decline.

The overall number of casualties is now 10 per cent lower than in the same period last year and, most significantly, the number of serious injuries is down by 34 per cent.

Despite the encouraging results however, more than 15,500 people were hurt or killed in the period – including 3,015 pedestrians and 1,327 children under 16 years old – meaning work on reducing the casualty figures in London continues apace.

The Mayor has confirmed that London is now working towards a target of a 50 per cent reduction in road casualties by 2010, having already met the 40 per cent national target, some five years early.

Transport for London is committed to continuing to bring the numbers down by funding further major investments in road safety advertising, education and engineering.

Key findings are:

* Fatalities have fallen by 10 per cent, from 98 to 88 compared with the same period in 2004
* Serious injuries have decreased by 34 per cent and slight injuries have fallen by five per cent
* Pedestrians accounted for 41 per cent of all fatalities, but overall pedestrian fatalities fell by 18 per cent
* Pedal cyclist casualties decreased by six per cent
* Child casualties decreased by 14 per cent
* The total number of collisions decreased by seven per cent compared with the same period in 2004
* The total number of casualties decreased by 10 per cent in inner London and eight per cent in outer London
* Men accounted for 62 per cent of casualties and women 38 per cent

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: “One life lost on London’s roads is one life too many, but these latest figures show that increased investment in road safety is continuing to successfully to save lives.

“We can’t be complacent and Transport for London is working with boroughs to meet even higher targets to improve road safety.”

Safer roads

Chris Lines, Head of the London Road Safety Unit, added: “These are very large and welcome casualty reductions, and show that London is leading the way in reducing the human and economic cost of road collisions.

“There is still a lot to be done and we must continue to work hard to ensure this excellent trend continues.”

Jenny Jones, Mayor’s Road Safety Ambassador and Green Party member on London Assembly, said: “There are a lot of men, women and children walking around London today because we have refused to accept that accidents simply happen.

“There are hundreds of parents, friends and relatives in London who haven’t had to suffer the tragedy of losing a loved one, or spending their days caring for someone permanently injured in a traffic crash.

“This success is down to increased investment and a willingness to do what works.”