Campaign launched to cut number of fatal accidents

By 2010, the 95 Alive Partnership hopes 95 people, who would have died on North Yorkshire roads, will still be alive.

Measures to achieve the aim will include increased traffic calming, a push to encourage the use of seatbelts and educating motorists to be aware of other road-users.

Mike Moore, director of environmental services for North Yorkshire County Council, is chairman of the 95 Alive Partnership.

He said: "I'm delighted that all of our partners have been prepared to sign up and will actively work towards reducing the number of people that are killed on our roads each year.

"We have set ourselves a very challenging target, but I am in no doubt that given the commitment of all of us, we will reach that target."

Pete Zanzottera, road safety officer for City of York Council, said: "Every year, approximately ten people are killed in York alone.

"Through the partnership we aim to reduce this number significantly, achieving zero fatalities by 2010."

The partnership also includes North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Highways Agency. Representatives from district councils, primary care trusts, national parks, ambulance trusts and community safety partnerships are also involved.

The partnership will examine all fatal crashes in the past five years to determine the main cause of these accidents.

This work will then influence road safety engineering schemes and initiatives.

A road safety strategy and action plan will be drawn up.

This will target car occupants and motorcyclists, who account for 80 per cent of the fatalities in York and North Yorkshire.

Police will increase enforcement of seatbelt laws, particularly for rear seat passengers. Engineers will also look at measures to slow traffic speeds, and riders and drivers will be educated to be more conscious of other road users.

On average, 85 people are killed on York and North Yorkshire roads every year.