THE number of people killed on Suffolk's roads looks set to fall for the third consecutive year, new figures have revealed.Safety bosses welcomed the continued reduction last night but said further work needs to be carried out to educate motorists about safer driving habits.

THE number of people killed on Suffolk's roads looks set to fall for the third consecutive year, new figures have revealed.

Safety bosses welcomed the continued reduction last night but said further work needs to be carried out to educate motorists about safer driving habits.

Since January 1, a total of 38 people have died in road traffic accidents on the county's roads compared to 43 in 2004 and 60 in 2003.

Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for highways, public transport, road safety and rights of way, said: “In terms of any death on the road, it is always a tragedy for the family and people involved.

“Obviously the county council's road safety team work very hard to try and keep on reducing fatalities on the highway.

“We are getting to a stage whereby engineering solutions to dangerous areas are less and less. If you examine where fatalities occur, they're actually scattered throughout the county. We haven't got the clusters any more which we once had. Even the A140 has seen a significant reduction.

“It's about the education program in terms of encouraging better motorist behaviour. It's about whether we can carry on the good work with officers committed to a road safety agenda.”

The Suffolk Safety Camera Partnership is one of the primary agencies responsible for road safety in the county.

It was formed in conjunction with the county council at the beginning of 2003 and has since seen large reductions in accidents at camera sites.

Suffolk Constabulary, which is another partner in Suffolk's road safety campaign, also welcomed the reduction in fatalities.

A spokesman said: “Our aim is to continue reducing casualties on the county's roads in partnership with others and to prevent the distress and misery that such collisions can cause for families across the county.

“The motoring public has obviously got its part to play by obeying speed limits, not drinking and driving, ensuring vehicles are road worthy and staying alert on the roads of the county.”