A WEST Yorkshire-based charity has called for more to be done to reduce road deaths following a “deeply worrying” four-year high in fatalities on Britain’s roads.

Figures from the Department for Transport show that 1,792 people were killed in collisions last year, up four per cent since 2015 and the highest annual total since 2011. Across the five Bradford constituencies, there were eight fatal accidents in 2016, in comparison with seven in 2015.

Jason Wakeford, Director of Campaigns for Brake, said: “Today’s figures graphically illustrate the daily carnage taking place on roads across Britain. On average, five people continue to lose their lives each and every day - a deeply worrying figure which has not improved for some six years.”

Brake is calling for a graduated licensing system, including a minimum learning period and restrictions for newly-qualified drivers, and a review of speed limits on rural roads.

Simon D’Vali, chairman of the West Yorkshire Safer Roads Working Group, said on a county level there had been a reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured. He said: “Fatalities went down from 48 in 2015 to 37 in 2016. We have the lowest recorded casualty levels ever and casualties have fallen 51 per cent since the year 2000.”

Mr D’Vali added while there is “no room for complacency”, he believes it is a positive step in the right direction.

A Department for Transport spokesman said tougher penalties for using a mobile phone while driving have been brought in and it is investing £175m to improve safety on the most dangerous ‘A’ roads in the country.

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