Cash to Reduce Road Casualties

Welcome news has been received about funding to reduce casualties on local roads.

The Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership, of which Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue (BLFRS) is a member, has received £160,000 match-funding from the Department of Transport.

The money will be used for two pioneering projects:

Motorcycle Training Matters - and enhanced rider training project and

Belt-Up for LIFE - to encourage more use of seat belts.

Simon Barker, Area Risk Commander for BLFRS said: "Our officers now rescue SEVEN TIMES more people from road traffic accidents than from fires.  We are committed to prevent accidents happening in the first place through educational programmes.  Too often our officers attend scenes where casualties have suffered fatal or severe injuries that may have been prevented if seatbelts had been worn."

In 2007, 27 people were killed and 246 people were seriously injured in road traffic collisions in Bedfordshire and Luton: 56 were motorcyclists, 79 car drivers and 38 car passengers.

Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction partnership includes Bedfordshire County Council, Luton Borough Council, Highways Agency, Bedfordshire Police and Her Majesty's Courts.  Working together and with associated organisations, the Partnership aims to reduce road casualties through a strategy of road user education, engineering measures and law enforcement.