FEWER people are being killed or seriously injured on rural Dorset roads.

Figures prepared from the county council show 16 per cent fewer serious accidents to September 2017, compared to the same period in the previous year.

A total of 16 deaths were recorded and 208 serious injuries– compared to 15 deaths and 248 seriously injuries the previous year.

Dorset county councillors will be told on Thursday (JUL 5) that the figures are being analysed to identify roads, or areas, which have an accident problem. Engineering solutions will then be considered to improve safety.

The county’s safeguarding committee will hear that while there is an overall downward trend for deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads, the only increase has been in serious accidents or deaths involving cyclists.

Statistically deaths and serious injury accidents are more likely on rural, rather than urban, roads, where speed is one of the main reasons for a crash.

Road traffic injuries occur on average five times a day across Dorset – costing the local economy more than £131million a year, based on 2016 figures.