§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving the national targets for reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from road accidents in the United Kingdom. [89710]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonIn 1987, a target was set to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries from road accidents in Great Britain by one third by the year 2000, compared with the average for 1981–85.
The target has been exceeded for both road fatalities and serious injuries. By 1998, fatalities were 39 per cent. below baseline and serious injuries were 45 per cent. below. Compared with 1997, there was a fall of 5 per cent. for both deaths and serious injuries.
This substantial reduction in road casualties is to be welcomed, but there is no room for complacency. We are working on a new casualty reduction target for 2010, and a road safety strategy, which we are aiming to publish in the Autumn.