ROADS in Somerset are statistically the safest they have ever been – but last year saw a small increase in the number of deaths.

The number of people seriously injured on Somerset’s roads dropped by almost 16 per cent from 188 in 2015 to 158 in 2016. But the number of fatalities rose from 22 to 25.

Road safety organisations use combined killed or seriously injured (KSI) statistics as a standard measure for road safety. Overall, 2016 saw the lowest KSI figures ever recorded on Somerset’s roads.

Despite this, Somerset County Council will shortly be consulting on a new road safety strategy to help continue the downward trend.

County council leader Cllr David Fothergill said: “Statistically our roads are safer than ever before but it’s difficult to celebrate this when people are still losing their lives.

“Even one death is one too many – and that’s why I’m pleased we will soon have a new road safety strategy which will see us working more effectively with partners to reduce the number of casualties on Somerset’s roads. “This approach is based on international best practice and should help us continue the downwards trend in Somerset. Please look out for the public consultation early next year.”

The figures for 2017 are currently being monitored. By the end of June 2017, 13 fatalities, 91 serious and 594 slight injury casualties had been recorded.

Injury collision data is collected by Avon and Somerset Police and analysed by Somerset County Council’s Road Safety Team.