FIFTEEN million pounds is being spent by Cambridgeshire County Council this year on reducing road casualties despite figures showing that fatalities and serious injuries on the roads are at an all-time low. According to county council figures, the amount

FIFTEEN million pounds is being spent by Cambridgeshire County Council this year on reducing road casualties despite figures showing that fatalities and serious injuries on the roads are at an all-time low.

According to county council figures, the amount of traffic on the roads has increased in Cambridgeshire by around 23 per cent over the last 10 years.

The figures show that 461 people were killed or seriously injured on Cambridgeshire's roads last year compared with 527 in 2004.

Cambridgeshire county councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for environment and community services, said: "We are heartened by the drop in the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads, especially when you compare it with the massive rise in traffic. However, every statistic tells a tragic story and we are committed to carry on reducing the appalling number of casualties on our roads. By acting in partnership with other agencies, such as the police, Highways Agency and the NHS, we are working hard to reduce the number of accidents."

The £15 million investment will pay for a range of measures, including a new campaign targeting rural drivers and an £800,000 roundabout on the A605/ A141 junction near March.

Russell de Ville, head of road safety for Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "Cambridgeshire has and continues to invest heavily on reducing road accidents on the county's roads. We use a range of successful measures from major roundabout schemes costing millions to driver education to try and reduce the number of accidents. However, the only real way to reduce the amount of deaths and injuries is for everyone to play a part and drive sensibly.