Roads still ‘high-risk’
NEW DATA SHOWS REDUCTION IN COLLISIONS BUT SOME ROUTES REMAIN DANGEROUS
THE number of fatal traffic collisions across Yorkshire has reduced in the past year, according to new data published by the Department for Transport.
Some 1,028 people were killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents across Yorkshire and the Humber in 2020, according to the data.
This is a marked reduction compared to the 1,497 people who were tragically killed or seriously injured in 2019, a fact which has largely been attributed to a reduction in traffic caused by the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns
But while the number of fatalities has reduced in the past year, a number of roads in Kirklees are still considered high risk according to data published by Ageas and the Road Safety Foundation.
Highlighted in an interactive map, New Hey Road along the Kirklees border has been identified as one of the most dangerous roads in the country.
The A640 from Outlane to Denshaw is the only road in the area deemed to be rated ‘black’ the highest risk, based on the number of incidents per mile. The long stretch of road connecting the A635 Honley to Flouch is also considered to be high risk, and rated in the ‘red’ category.
Other roads such as Wakefield Road, running from Aspley to Waterloo, and Penistone Road from Fenay Bridge through the Dearne Valley have seen a number of accidents in the past year, but have made a sufficient improvement to now only carry an ‘orange’ or moderate risk category.
Another area which saw a significant improvement was Bradford Road in Batley. Once rated one of the worst roads in the country for serious accidents, it has now lowered its risk to the ‘yellow’ category and earned itself the title of one of the most improved in the country. Road safety campaigners have been delighted by the news, but have still indicated that there is a long way to go, in order to make sure our roads are as safe as possible, both for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Speaking as part of Road Safety Week, a campaign spearheaded by road safety charity Break, Jason Wakeford, Head of Campaigns said: “Reductions in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads – due to lockdown restrictions last year – are to be welcomed but should also inspire more action to make roads safer as traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels.
“Road Safety Week is the UK’s biggest annual road safety campaign and is a great opportunity to speak up for road safety.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also weighed in on the campaign: “We will continue to work tirelessly to help see further reductions, including through our THINK! campaign, which tackles behaviours that can lead to serious road incidents and our ongoing review of roads policing.”
Just some of the safer road initiatives taking place include the recent proposals by Kirklees Council to introduce more designated cycle lanes and improved crossing facilities for pedestrians as part of the recent A629 upgrades.