DUNDEE IS on course to meet or exceed national targets to reduce the toll of road accident casualties, writes Brian Allison, local government reporter.

Figures produced by the city council show that the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on the local road network had come down from an annual average of almost 114 in the period 1994-98 to 71 in 2006.

That represents a reduction of 38%, which is very close to the national target of 40% set by Government to be achieved by 2010.

Although the actual number of KSIs increased from the previous year’s figure of 58, planning and transportation director Mike Galloway, in a report, said the five-year moving average showed an overall downward trend.

Taking only child KSI casualties into account there was a reduction from the 1994-98 average of almost 34 to 15 in 2006—one fewer than the previous year. The national target was for a 50% cut by 2010 and the actual fall in Dundee was 55%.

Mr Galloway said that, although significant casualty reduction had been achieved, 71 people killed or seriously injured in Dundee in 2006 was still far too high.

He pointed out that as well as the anguish caused to the victims of road accidents and their families there was an economic price to be paid.

“The cost to society in economic terms through lost output, medical costs, pain, suffering, emergency service costs and damage to property for these 71 injuries is of the order of £13 million,” he said.

“In addition, it must be remembered that there is real human grief and suffering experienced not only by those injured but also by friends and families.”

Mr Galloway said the approach to continuing to improve road safety and cut the casualty figures further involved engineering, enforcement, education and encouragement.

Engineering includes measures such as traffic management, traffic calming and accident investigation and prevention.

The director said enforcement of legislation covering speed limits, the drink- driving law and other safety related issues played a crucial role in maintaining and improving road safety.

As well as initiatives like the written theory examination in the national driving test, emphasis is also placed on the education of children in road safety awareness.

Encouraging use of child car seats and restraints, cycle helmets, lights and bright clothing are seen as having a significant part to play in persuading people to adopt safe practices.