The road safety message seems at last to be getting across to most drivers and pedestrians. The latest figures showing that fewer people were killed and injured on Bradford's roads last year than in any year since casualty records began in 1974 are very encouraging. They are being interpreted as vindication of the controversial use of speed cameras, which will have certainly helped to make motorists more aware of the speed at which they are travelling. Other traffic-calming measures such as the almost universally-hated speed humps will also have had an effect.

These, it seems, are annoyances we have to put up with for the common good. But in addition there is education. A lot of work has been done in recent years to increase awareness of road dangers. Advice at neighbourhood forums, advertising campaigns and special projects in schools have all played a part in persuading people to take road safety more seriously and making pedestrians aware of the things we all can do to protect ourselves.

It is particularly encouraging that the number of child casualties has dropped sharply, with just 39 youngsters killed or seriously injured last year compared with 76 in 2003.

The big disappointment is that the number of road deaths rose from 15 to 20, largely as a result of a number of accidents with multiple fatalities. This suggests that although a lot of progress has been made there is still a way to go. Most motorists now seem to be taking their responsibilities seriously. However, as anyone who stands alongside any major road will have observed, a minority have still to get the message.