A SHRINE OF THE TIMES

8:50am Tuesday 26th June 2007

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A DORSET police chief has vowed to cut the carnage on Dorset's roads after new figures revealed how 19 families have already lost loved ones this year.

Chief Inspector Rick Dowell, head of the road policing unit, told the Daily Echo: "I am determined to drive down the number of fatal and serious injury collisions on Dorset's roads."

On the day a national report claimed the UK is falling behind other countries on road safety, he appealed to drivers to help reduce the death toll on the county's roads.

Ch Insp Dowell urged motorists to observe speed limits, refrain from drinking and driving, wear seatbelts and take breaks when they feel tired behind the wheel.

He said: "All drivers can make the roads of Dorset safer by having basic common sense and regard for the safety of others.

"Every fatal collision is subject to a detailed forensic examination. No stone is left unturned in our determination to find the case of a collision and to prosecute any party who has driven carelessly or dangerously. A number of dangerous drivers have been imprisoned."

The number of deaths on Dorset's roads this year reached 19 despite concerted road safety campaigns, warnings and speed cameras.

Dorset police set a target to reduce death and serious injury on the roads by six per cent in the year to April 2007. But new statistics show the number increased by 3.8 per cent.

It has been estimated each road fatality costs the taxpayer more than £1 million but the price of human suffering is immeasurable. Road users who have lost their lives on the county's roads have ranged from teenagers to pensioners.

Research by the Road Safety Foundation revealed lack of funding may be preventing local authorities from carrying out simple measures to make roads safer such as modern signing and improved junctions.

In Dorset this year there have been 17 fatal collisions resulting in 19 deaths. Last year 38 people died on the county's roads.

Pat Garrett, for Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "We're working with our partners to identify how safety cameras, along with other measures, can be used to help reduce this figure.

"We remain focused on reducing collisions through measures including education, engineering and enforcement.

"Safety cameras continue to be located in known collision hotspots; where there is a history of fatal and serious collisions."