FIGURES released by Essex Police have revealed the number of deaths on the county's roads fell by nearly ten per cent in the last year.

FIGURES released by Essex Police have revealed the number of deaths on the county's roads fell by nearly ten per cent in the last year.

But, with 75 people killed in 2008, the slight reduction has not lessened the continuing concern police have with the increasing number of drivers they say are endangering other peoples' lives.

Figures show that 17 motorcyclists were killed in road crashes during 2008, with 29 drivers, nine passengers, 15 pedestrians and five cyclists also dying on Essex roads.

Road Policing Inspector Steve Brewer said: “A large percentage of these crashes involving death and serious injury are attributable to three main reasons: Driving too fast for the conditions or signed limit, failure to wear seat belts, and driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Essex Police will continue to rigorously enforce these offences throughout the next twelve months.”

During 2007, 83 people were killed in 75 fatal crashes (27 were motorcyclists). Throughout 2008, Essex Police joined the county and borough councils on a number of initiatives designed to reduce the number of casualties on the roads.

Insp Brewer added: “There were 75 people killed on our roads in 2008. Many of these deaths are avoidable. If we can encourage drivers to act in a more responsible manner then we may just see these figures continuing to fall.”

The total number of collisions in 2008 in which people were injured was 5,434, with 740 seriously injured. The comparative figure for 2007 stood at 6,546 collisions, with 982 people seriously injured.