Councillor welcomes lowest road casualty figures ever

FOR the first time since 2005 there were no children killed on the borough’s roads last year.

The news comes after Enfield Council released the 2007 road accident figures.

They are at their lowest ever level - with 1,030 casualties recorded last year.

Enfield Councillor Terry Neville – cabinet member for environment gave a cautious welcome to the news.

He said: “Obviously it is heartening to hear no children were killed on our roads last year however, however we need to remain vigilant. Unfortunately while the number of adults who were killed on Enfield streets have also fell from last year, it is still a tragedy for all their families and loved ones.”

The number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) was 99 - the first time the figure has fallen below 100 since the formation of the London Borough of Enfield.

Cllr Neville said: “The Council took a position that speed humps were not the only answer, we felt they did not stop accidents and drivers switched off.

“We introduced smart road safety solutions such as, vehicle activated signs, rumble waves and chicanes, and we have seen Enfield’s road casualty figures steadily decrease over the past five years.”

But Cllr Neville called for tougher enforcement of traffic offences.

He said: “There is a hard core of irresponsible drivers out there, often uninsured and driving under influence of drink and drugs who are killing other motorists and pedestrians. There has been too much of a reliance of cameras in recent years and only by a greater traffic Police presence on our roads, can get make our streets safer.”

This document was last updated on 2008-06-17 16:17:55 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_132913