Road deaths link to deprived areas

Oct 2 2008 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

ROAD deaths in Runcorn and Widnes could be linked to deprivation, claims a road safety charity.

Brake says Government figures show that residents in the top 10% deprived areas are 1.5 times more likely to be killed or injured on the road than those in the 10% wealthiest.

There are 422 casualties per 100,000 residents in the deprived areas while in the wealthiest there are 297.

Halton had 436 casualties per 100,000 in 2007.

The charity says the “shameful” link is strongest for children, who are 4.5 times more likely to be involved in a collision than their wealthy peers.

In 2007, 33 adults and nine children were seriously injured on Halton’s roads, and two children were killed while trying to cross the M56.

Despite deprivation falling since 2004, Halton is the 30th most deprived area in England out of 356, with Windmill Hill being the poorest ward in the borough.

To boost safety Brake recommends 20mph speed limits in urban areas, more drink and drug driving checks, a lower drink-drive limit, tougher penalties for hit-and-run offenders and better education.

Cathy Keeler, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “While statistics show the Government is on track to meet its casualty reduction targets for 2010, there cannot be any room for complacency.

“As a civilised society we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable people on our roads and in many cases we are failing them.

“Each figure represents families torn apart and devastating injuries, occurring violently without warning.

“Ask these families and they will tell you there is no room for the Government to sit back and rest on its laurels.

“It’s time we adopted a zero tolerance approach to risk-taking on roads and worked towards eliminating all needless deaths and injuries.”