Crash victims in West Mercia Police area reach 17,000 in five years
Almost 17,000 people were hurt or killed on roads in the West Mercia Police area over a four-year period, a new report reveals today.
The region, which includes Shropshire, ranks 22nd out of 55 regions in the UK list for dangerous roads.
There were 16,850 people hurt or killed in West Mercia. And a ratio of one in 72 people living in the region were likely to be involved in an accident.
Dyfed Powys came 35th for the number of accidents, with 9,401. But in terms of ratio per population likely to be in an accident it came 12th, with one in 57.
The West Midlands Police area was revealed as the region with the most dangerous roads, in terms of the number of accidents. There were 37,153 people hurt or killed in the West Midlands between 2011 and 2015. But, with its high population, residents are statistically less likely to be a casualty in a road accident with just one in 155 likely to be hurt or killed on the road
The analysis from government statistics also revealed that Staffordshire was the 16th most dangerous part of the country to travel through by car with 19,577 people hurt or killed over the period and one in 56 people likely to be involved in a serious collision.
The most dangerous stretches of road in the UK have 30mph speed limits – making up 57 per cent of all accidents that led to injury or death. The next most dangerous was 60mph, followed by 40mph zones. The data also suggests you’re odds on to crash on a Thursday – and least likely on Mondays – according to the figures.
The report was released as West Mercia Police launched its annual appeal for bikers to take care on country roads in Shropshire and Mid Wales this summer. Over the last three years there have been 528 accidents in the force area involving motorcyclists.
Today's report was put together from official figures by Witter Towbars.
A spokesman said: “This year the UK is set to experience a significant rise in the number of staycations, with record numbers of people exploring the length and breadth of the British Isles.
“This is great news for many businesses – including us- as many people will choose to explore the UK with a trailer or caravan in tow.
"In our industry, we encourage staycations but we also promote safety.
“We hope that exposing the statistics on accidents will make road users more alert when travelling to their desired destinations.”
Vicki Bristow, of the West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership, said: "We want to make motorcyclists and other road users more aware of the risks that are present when they are out on the roads."
