THE number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads of North Yorkshire has fallen consistently over a three-year period, according to new figures.

A report put together by the county council shows that the number of seriously hurt casualties fell from 753 in 2002 to 636 in 2004, a reduction of 16 per cent.

Over the same period, the number of people killed on the roads fell from 84 to 73, a reduction of 13 per cent.

There has also been a fall in the number of slight casualties.

The number of pedestrians injured has risen from 288 in 2002 to 299 last year, but the number of cyclists hurt has fallen from 127 to 94.

Last year, a campaign was launched to try to save the lives of 95 people who would otherwise die in road accidents.

The 95 Alive Partnership aims to introduce traffic calming and educate motorists to cut the number of road deaths by the year 2010. It also aims to increase the number of children wearing seat belts to 95 per cent by 2010.

Mike Moore, director of environmental services, said: "This initiative involves targeted enforcement with supporting publicity and education work at 20 schools spread across the county.

"Results show that by the end of last year there was an increase in seat belt wearing to 90 per cent - well on track to achieve the 2010 target."

The county council and North Yorkshire Police are running a joint campaign to cut the number of motorcyclists killed, which has seen the number of deaths fall from 28 in 2003 to 17 last year.

The new report also lists the county's most dangerous roads. Valley Bridge Parade in Scarborough is rated the most dangerous, with 18 people being injured between 2002 and 2004.

The B1248/B1257 Butcher Corner at Malton and the A1 northbound on and off slip road at Leeming have the fourth and fifth worst accident records, with 15 and 16 people being injured in accidents respectively.

The report will be discussed by the council's Richmondshire area committee at Colburn community health and recreation centre on Monday.