A far-reaching action plan to make Bradford Britain's safest Millennium city was launched today.

The Safer Roads To A New Millennium plan aims at getting everyone in the district to play a part in stopping deaths and injuries on the roads by simply taking extra care.

The plan builds on the Council's success in reducing accidents.

But it points out that during 1997 - the last full year when statistics are available - 19 people were killed, 280 seriously injured and 2,993 slightly hurt - a road injury every three hours.

The report says Bradford is making better progress in reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured, however.

During the next three years the Council aims to focus on a number of areas, including:

increasing community involvement;

targeting vulnerable groups, including children;

developing a strategy to control speed;

improving safety around schools.

Councillor Phil Thornton, chairman of the Council's highways sub-committee, said: "Injuries and death on the road are caused by errors of judgement, human, and sometimes mechanical failures and through inappropriate or reckless behaviour. They are the result of crashes with other vehicles, pedestrians or roadside objects and barriers - and most crashes could be avoided."

The plan has been developed after consultation with communities and highlights areas of concern where more progress is needed.

They include speed control and a reduction in the number of accidents causing slight injuries.

The figures show that overall casualties have begun to rise sharply - but most of them do not involve serious injuries.

Coun Thornton said: "We need the involvement of individuals. Drivers must cut their speed, parents must make sure their children know how to cross a road or ride a bike safely, motorists must take more care near schools, people must be more aware of the needs of other road users."

The report shows the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured dropped by 38 per cent between 1985 and 1997. There was an eight per cent reduction in cyclists killed or seriously injured and the statistics for car drivers and passengers show a 39 per cent reduction.

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