CAMPAIGNERS are using Road Safety Week to encourage people to use their cars less in a bid to improve the environment and reduce the risk of accidents.

Brake's national awareness week is this year pushing the message 'drive less, live more' as the organisation reveals the health effects of driving in England.

The charity said that in Bradford annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are 2,723.7 tonnes and 35.8 per cent of residents drive to work with only 0.5 per cent choosing to cycle instead.

Its figures also show 222 premature deaths due to air quality are recorded in Bradford each year.

Councillor Val Slater, Bradford Council's executive member for housing, planning and transport, said steps were being taken to encourage Bradford residents to leave the car at home and use public transport.

She referred to West Yorkshire Combined Authority's 'Don't Drive December' initiative which will offer free travel anywhere in West Yorkshire for a month for employees of organisations who are members of the West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network.

Cllr Slater said: "We would like to encourage people to use public transport where they can. There are a number of issues happening on this. One of the things we are looking at is improving the quality of life through travel and encourage people to use alternative forms of travel.

"We do accept that air quality is an issue in Bradford. We are taking steps on this.

"Improvements are being made to improve public transport in Bradford, including the buses, to restore people's faith in using them. Bus companies have upgraded their fleets recently.

"Leisure cycling is improving in Bradford, but we need to encourage more people to cycle to work. We will work with big employers in Bradford to see what they are doing with their own transport plans for their employees."

In Leeds, CO2 emissions are 5,042 tonnes and 350 premature deaths are due to air quality per year. In Kirklees, CO2 emissions are 2,404.5 tonnes and 196 premature deaths are recorded due to air quality. In neighbouring Calderdale, 93 deaths are due to poor air quality and annual CO2 emissions are 1366 tonnes.

Director of communications and campaigns at Brake Gary Rae said: "Road Safety Week has become the most crucial fixture in our calendar for raising public awareness of road safety, and it has also become a crucial fixture for many educators, road safety professionals, and employers around the country too.

"We believe this year’s theme is a critical one for all of us, providing a chance to show how road safety is a bigger issue than many people think."